Harping On - Alison Vardys Solo Celtic Harp CD

1) Sunday Syncopations Real Audio MP3

Alison Vardy (3:30) 56K Cable

Stitched together one rainy winter Sunday

when a little off-beat rhythm was essential

2) Carolan's Welcome / Drummond Castle Real Audio MP3

Traditional: Ireland / Scotland (4:11)

The first tune, composed by Ireland's best known

harper Turlough 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 Real Audio MP3

Traditional: 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 Real Audio MP3

Alison Vardy (5:49)

My first compositions and ones I still enjoy playing

on the Celtic harp

5) 10 de Octubre / Che Valle mi Yaguaron Real Audio MP3

Traditional: Paraguay (5:23)

Two traditional Galopas from Paraguay. The

Galaopa 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) Diddanwhch Gruffudd ap Cynan Real Audio MP3

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 Real Audio MP3

Traditional: 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 Real Audio MP3

Alison Vardy / Alfredo Rolando Ortiz (6:19)

A Caribbean rhythm for less-than-tropical Dunedin,

NZ, followed by a Cumbia, a musical genre from

Columbia.

9) Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Rich Man Real Audio MP3

Arthur Warrell / Unknown, U.S.A. (3:28)

Two spirituals from the days of slavery in the US.

10) Variations on a Mode Real Audio MP3

Alison Vardy (3:09)

Dorian and mixolydian themes taking turns in

a range of dynamics

11) El Rio Real Audio MP3

Alfredo Rolando Ortiz (4:20)

A Tonada (musical genre from Venezuela) with

my own arrangements weaving the melody.

12) Dalby Aire / Grandfather Clock Real Audio MP3

Trad: Isle of Man / Unknown U.S.A. (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 Real Audio MP3

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 Angelos,

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.

Monday Magazine Review

Alison Vardy

Harping On

Celtic harpist Alison Vardy came to Victoria by way of New Zealand. Her album Harping On portrays the delicate side of Celtic music and explores other types of folk material as interpreted on the Celtic and Paraguayan harp. These tunes are simple and haunting, and the unaccompanied harp has a melodic purity and a sweet resonance that evoke an aura all of its own. The Paraguayan harp has more modal minor capabilities than the Celtic, giving it a little more melodic flexibility as well. It's a highly romantic instrument, full of sonic tenderness.

Vardy exploits both harps capabilities well, moving from contemporary tonality to medieval modes and back. Her original arrangements even cross over into the black spiritual and pop genres.

Overall, Harping On is a rhapsodic journey

…….sound in continuous motion

Melaney Black

Harping On is a CD of solo harp music resonates in the heart with Paraguayan and Celtic harp music. I've selected my favourite pieces of music and ones which demonstrate the diverse repertoire of the harp as you will see below. Hence, there is a very wide range of styles and tempos to enjoy for all occasions.

The 13 tracks include 5 of my own rhythmic compositions, South American melodies, Celtic medleys, spirituals and much more. (58 minutes of playing time ).

I have recorded the majority of the tracks on Harping On using a 36 string all nylon strung Paraguayan harp designed by Australian luthier, Andy Rigby, to my specification and which I later built at his workshop in Newstead, Victoria. The remaining tracks are on a Celtic lever harp crafted by Kim Webby of Whangarai, New Zealand.

I recorded Harping On in the natural reverberation of an acoustically "live" room in a 100 year old heritage villa in Southern New Zealand. Recording quality is excellent as all tracks were recorded directly to digital using some of the best vintage Neumann valve and condenser microphones currently available.( This CD was recorded by Fish Street Studio, Dunedin, New Zealand and was released in October 1997).

Close your eyes and you are sitting alongside the harp enjoying your own private concert!

Alison