CD - Harping On - More Info
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CD - Harping On
"a CD of solo harp music that resonates in the heart" Harping On has 13 tracks including 5 of Canadian professional harpist Alison Vardy's own rhythmic compositions, South American melodies, Celtic medleys, spirituals and much more. This CD/EP Album provides a wide variety of tempo and rhythms which are refreshing in their diversity and highlight Alison's superb musical arrangements. The music speaks for itself. If you are looking for a CD that you can play while being "creative" in your home, studio or work then this is it. Unlike albums that you play once and put away to never to play again, Harping On is the CD that slips in and out of your awareness as you are busy at your craft. It never fatigues! This album was recorded with a vintage tube microphone that took all the edginess out of the recording process leaving a CD that does not sonically irritate and which you can play forever! One customer said "I have never bought a CD and played it four times in a row on the first try!" Close your eyes and you are sitting alongside the harp enjoying your own private concert. Open your eyes and you are happily in this world! |
Harping On - 13 Tracks - 58 minutes of playing time
Listen to Harping On selections
1) Sunday Syncopations - Alison Vardy (3:30)
Stitched together one rainy winter Sunday when a little off-beat rhythm was essential.
2) Carolan's Welcome / Drummond Castle - Trad: Ireland / Scotland (4:11)
The first tune, composed by Ireland's best known harperTurlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), is one of about 200 melodies recovered from near obscurity. The second is a Scottish tune I learned from friends in Dunedin, New Zealand.
3) Yet Another Medley - Trad: Ireland/Wales/England (4:23)
She Walked Through the Fair, followed by Hoffed Meistres Wishart (Beloved Master Richard), The Great Silkie and ending with a "Trad: Vardy".
4) Autumn / Wind-up Toy - Alison Vardy (5:49)
My first composition and one I still enjoy playing on the Celtic harp.
5) 10 de Octubre / Che Valle mi Yaguaron - Traditional: Paraguay (5:23)
Two traditional Galopas from Paraguay. The Galopa is a syncopated waltz with the right hand playing a 6/8 time signature while the left hand plays 3/4 time (like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time).
6) Diddanwch Gruffydd ap Cynan - Traditional: Wales (2:47)
Griffith's Entertainment for Cynan's Son. A hauntingly beautiful tune I stole from the tape of a Welsh group, "Aberjaber".
7) Princess Royale / Roxburgh Castle - Trad: Ireland / Scotland (4:07)
The first tune was sent to me by Dorothea Franchii, once the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra harpist and a kind assistant to me getting started on the Celtic harp. The second is arranged by Anne McDearmid of Scotland.
8) Dunedin Habanera / Cumbia Deliciosa - A Vardy / Alfredo Ortiz (6:19)
A Caribbean rhythm for less-than-tropical Dunedin NZ by Alison, followed by a Cumbia, a musical genre from Columbia.
9) Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Rich Man - Arthur Warrell / Unknown (3:28)
Two spirituals from the days of slavery in the US.
10) Variations on a Mode - Alison Vardy (3:09)
Dorian and mixolydian themes taking turns in a range of dynamics.
11) El Rio - Alfredo Rolando Ortiz (4:20)
A Tonada (musical genre from Venezuela) with my own arrangements weaving the melody.
12) Dalby Aire / Grandfather Clock - Trad: Isle of Man / Unknown (3:44)
A favourite of mine for the transitions from minor to major and back again. Followed by a piece I used to play on the piano as a child, my father accompanying on the violin.
13) Ecuador / Beneath Wings - Alfredo Rolando Ortiz / Bette Midler (7:10)
Alfredo is one of the most recorded Paraguayan harpists and he's not even Paraguayan! Born Cuban, raised in Columbia and Venezuela and now living in Los Angeles, he is a renowned performer, composer and teacher on the Paraguayan harp. Ecuador is a Pasillo, a traditional musical genre from Columbia. Beneath Wings provides a quiet contrast in this duo.
Listen to Harping On selections
1) Sunday Syncopations - Alison Vardy (3:30)
Stitched together one rainy winter Sunday when a little off-beat rhythm was essential.
2) Carolan's Welcome / Drummond Castle - Trad: Ireland / Scotland (4:11)
The first tune, composed by Ireland's best known harper
3) Yet Another Medley - Trad: Ireland/Wales/England (4:23)
She Walked Through the Fair, followed by Hoffed Meistres Wishart (Beloved Master Richard), The Great Silkie and ending with a "Trad: Vardy".
4) Autumn / Wind-up Toy - Alison Vardy (5:49)
My first composition and one I still enjoy playing on the Celtic harp.
5) 10 de Octubre / Che Valle mi Yaguaron - Traditional: Paraguay (5:23)
Two traditional Galopas from Paraguay. The Galopa is a syncopated waltz with the right hand playing a 6/8 time signature while the left hand plays 3/4 time (like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time).
6) Diddanwch Gruffydd ap Cynan - Traditional: Wales (2:47)
Griffith's Entertainment for Cynan's Son. A hauntingly beautiful tune I stole from the tape of a Welsh group, "Aberjaber".
7) Princess Royale / Roxburgh Castle - Trad: Ireland / Scotland (4:07)
The first tune was sent to me by Dorothea Franchii, once the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra harpist and a kind assistant to me getting started on the Celtic harp. The second is arranged by Anne McDearmid of Scotland.
8) Dunedin Habanera / Cumbia Deliciosa - A Vardy / Alfredo Ortiz (6:19)
A Caribbean rhythm for less-than-tropical Dunedin NZ by Alison, followed by a Cumbia, a musical genre from Columbia.
9) Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Rich Man - Arthur Warrell / Unknown (3:28)
Two spirituals from the days of slavery in the US.
10) Variations on a Mode - Alison Vardy (3:09)
Dorian and mixolydian themes taking turns in a range of dynamics.
11) El Rio - Alfredo Rolando Ortiz (4:20)
A Tonada (musical genre from Venezuela) with my own arrangements weaving the melody.
12) Dalby Aire / Grandfather Clock - Trad: Isle of Man / Unknown (3:44)
A favourite of mine for the transitions from minor to major and back again. Followed by a piece I used to play on the piano as a child, my father accompanying on the violin.
13) Ecuador / Beneath Wings - Alfredo Rolando Ortiz / Bette Midler (7:10)
Alfredo is one of the most recorded Paraguayan harpists and he's not even Paraguayan! Born Cuban, raised in Columbia and Venezuela and now living in Los Angeles, he is a renowned performer, composer and teacher on the Paraguayan harp. Ecuador is a Pasillo, a traditional musical genre from Columbia. Beneath Wings provides a quiet contrast in this duo.