Description
Connect with Ireland's spiritual history through three different pieces of music that you will learn to play on your harp.
The earliest surviving notated music in Ireland is plainchant, ecclesiastical vocal music with words taken from the Christian liturgy. Surviving examples date from the twelfth- to the late-fifteenth century. The first two sessions of this course will introduce you to plainchant, and touch upon the idea of polyphony throughout the ages. You'll then learn a piece of medieval plainchant from an Irish manuscript, arranged to be playable on the harp.
Saint Brigid, one of the patron saints of Ireland, has an important role in Irish religious and cultural heritage. Her feast day, Lá Fhéile Bríde, is celebrated each year on 1 February. Also known as Imbolc, this day marks the coming of spring in Ireland, and people across the island mark Saint Brigid's Day by crafting traditional 'Brigid's crosses' out of rushes. In this course, you will learn to play the melody to Gabhaim Molta Bride, a beautiful traditional Irish song in honour of Saint Brigid.
Sacred music has a long history in Ireland. We finish the course in the eighteenth century, with Turlough Carolan's 'Elevation'. Composed for Irish harp, this is music to be played during the elevation ritual in Christian mass, when the consecrated host and chalice are lifted up and shown to the congregation. Although Carolan composed and performed other music for mass, this quiet, contemplative piece is the only one that survives.
All types of harps welcome!