logo

This list is not complete; it is a personal selection of the kind of music I am interested in, i.e. old Irish and Scottish music played in historical style on the ancient type of clarsach or Irish harp, with metal wire strings. If you think I have missed out anyone important please do let me know.

Ar Strobineller

Ar Strobineller
Hag e vingoed
Private release, 1998
Violaine Mayor plays traditional Breton music alongside pipes, bombarde and other traditional instruments.

Wege

Jochen Vogel
Wege
1998
Jochen sings original songs in German, accompanying himself on a copy of the Sirr harp.
Click here to read more and order from the Emporium

The Ancient Harp of Scotland

William Jackson
The Ancient Harp of Scotland
MRCD 010, 1998
Scottish harper William Jackson plays both wire-strung clarsach and Scotish gut-strung lever harp on this recording and on Spirit of Scotland.

graysteil

Rob MacKillop, William Taylor, Andy Hunter & Paul Rendall
Graysteil
Dorian DIS-80141, 1997
This eclectic recording sees Bill Taylor's Gaelic harp and bray harp joined by Rob McKillop on lute and singers Paul Rendell and Andy Hunter for a varied selection of medieval and renaissance Scottish music. Both instrumental pieces and songs are presented, from 13th century church songs and a Carver mass to a reconstructed medieval epic ballad. Secondhand at the Emporium

Heman Dubh

Clairseach
Héman Dubh
Clairseach recordings, 1997
Ann Heymann's most recent recording, along with husband Charlie, is a lively foray into Irish traditional music. Ann plays whistle and harmonium as well as Gaelic harp, while Charlie plays all kinds of instruments! Available from the Emporium

Carolan's Harp

The Harp Consort
Carolan's Harp
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, 1997
Andrew Lawrence-King has made numerous recordings, both solo and with his group "The Harp Consort"; the Gaelic harp has a cameo role on many of them but takes centre stage on this recording of Carolan tunes. Secondhand at the Emporium

Danse avec les Fees

Violaine Mayor
Danse avec les fées
Hent Telenn Breizh, 1996
Violaine's 1st solo recording, on her replica of the medieval Queen Mary harp

Harpes d'Irlande

Katrien Delavier
Harpes d'Irlande
Playasound PS65143, 1995
Katrien, who sadly died in 1998, was a promising Breton harper on both gut- and wire-strung harps. As well as her other solo record La Harpe Irlandaise (1992) she appeared with her group Hempson on their recording Musique Ancienne Irlandaise (1994)

Queen of Harps

Ann Heymann
Queen of Harps
Temple Records COMD2057, 1994
I used to say this was the definitive recording - now it is in second place behind Cruit go nÓr.
Click here to read more and order from the Emporium

Notes of Noy, Notes of Joy
in stock

The Rowallan Consort
Notes of Noy, Notes of Joy
Temple Records COMD2058, 1994
16th and 17th century Scottish instrumental music and songs.
Click here to read more and order from the Emporium

Chantoozies

The Poozies
Chantoozies
HYCD 200 132, 1993
Mary MacMaster, along with lever harp player Patsy Seddon, in the all-women four piece band The Poozies. This music is very lively, and mostly Scottish traditional material. Other records include Dansoozies (1995) and Infinite Blue (1998).

Patrick Ball
Fiona
Celestial Harmonies, 1993
Another record from the prolific Patrick Ball.

Belfast Harp Festival

Gráinne Yeats
Féile Cruitirí Bhéal Feirste

Gael Linn, CEFCD 156, 1992
Accompanied songs and solos, on lever harp and on Gaelic harp.
Click here to read more and order from the Emporium

Rip the Calico

Paul Dooley
Rip the Calico CD
Private release, 1990
The Gaelic harp from an Irish Traditional music point of view.
Click here to read more and order from the Emporium

Ordering instructions: I carry a number of Gaelic harp books and CDs in stock at the Emporium. Click on the link to order, or call or email me to discuss what you want - I am happy to try and source out-of-print or hard-to-find items not currently in stock. Go to the Emporium homepage for more details.

I also will buy secondhand copies of many of these items. Contact me with details of what you have and we can discuss terms.

Simon Chadwick