CD - Island Suite - More Info
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Island Suite - A Solo Harp Odyssey
"vibrant, evocative solo harp music celebrating Canada’s West Coast" Alison Vardy is inspired by the rhythmic and melodic diversity of music from many cultures to create original compositions and arrangements that showcase her beloved instruments. Island Suite is a colourful tapestry of sound and mood that is both exciting and relaxing. This solo CD features two harps - Alison's Sandpiper Celtic harp (C) and her self-built Paraguayan harp (P). The tunes include a mixture of Canadian, Quebecois, Celtic, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), and World Ethnic music plus eight of Alison's own original compositions. With only nine seconds of blank space left on this CD the listener can journey deeply into Alison's world of rhythm and musical intrigue in a single listening. Enjoy! |
Island Suite - 18 Tracks - 74 minutes of playing time
Listen to Island Suite selections
1) E & N Boogie - Alison Vardy (3:27) P
All aboard! The E&N Railway was once the transportation and freight lifeline of Vancouver Island, BC, and had almost gone the way of the dodo at the time I wrote this tribute. Supported by avid communities up and down its length, it now has a bright future for scenic recreational and commuter travel.
2) Island Suite - Alison Vardy (4:04) C
The four musical themes in this composition visit the four southern Gulf Islands of Mayne, Pender, Saturna and Galiano off Canada’s West Coast.
3) Avre tu Puerta Serada / Adio Querida - Trad. Ladino (4:15) C
Open your closed door and Farewell Beloved, two beautiful love songs written in Ladino, the language of the Sephardic Jews (Judeo-Spanish).
4) Pula - Alison Vardy (3:29) P
Means Money or Rain in Setswana, one of the official languages of Botswana. Thanks to one of my Vancouver Island audience members for naming this piece for me.
5) Cape Breton Set - Trad. Cape Breton (4:56) C
I learned this set of lively tunes from the recordings of Nova Scotia born traditional flute player, Chris Norman. Transcribed for harp with addition of soundboard percussion! I Won’t Do the Work / 100 Pipers / Road to Skye
6) From the Shadows - Alison Vardy (6:47) C
The four themes of this composition move through the emotions of sombre to celebratory, as the key moves from C minor to C major.
7) Peter’s Peerie Boat / Willafjord - Tom Anderson / Trad. Shetland Islands (4:01) P
Tom Anderson is a renowned fiddler from the Shetland Islands but I learned these tunes from a couple of New Zealanders, both of them avid members of the Gaelic Society in Dunedin.
8) Bonnie at Morn / The Trees They do Grow High - Trad. England (3:17) C
Two contemplative broadside ballads from early England.
9) Sto mi e Milo / Kalimera - Trad. Macedonia/ Greece (4:55) C
A traditional village song followed by Good Morning! in Greece. Both of these pieces are in 7/8 rhythm.
10) Hornby Hornpipe / Off to California - Alison Vardy / Trad. Ireland (3:05) P
I love alliteration and Hornby Island in the Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Mainland is a favourite place of mine. Off to California is an Irish hornpipe and a popular choice at Celtic sessions and gatherings.
11) Si La Mar - Trad. Ladino (3:59) C
All about fishermen, young love and betrayal and delivered to you in 5/8 rhythm with lots of modulations! Arranged for solo harp from an adaptation by Moshe Denburg.
12) O’Carolan Set - Trad. Ireland (3:30) P
A medley of three tunes from 17th Century Ireland’s greatest bard,Turlough O’Carolan: George Brabazon / Bridget Cruise (#2) / Carolan’s Cap
13) Mildred’s Habanera - M. Plant , Arr. A Vardy (4:09) C
Mildred was a student of mine with a passion for Latin rhythms and a good ear for a melody.
14) Quebecois Set - Trad. Quebec (5:16) C
The Isles de Madeleine lie in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are part of the province of Quebec. The two marches that follow are originally associated with the playing of legendary Quebecois accordionist, Alfred Montmarquette (1871 – 1944). Isle de Madeleine / Marche des Ouvriers / Marche Cecilia
15) Kay’s Waltz / Malaika - Alison Vardy / Trad. W Africa (4:06) P
A waltz for my mother followed by a Swahili love song about a young man who yearns for his bride, Malaika.
16) Mazurka Limousin / Bouree - Trad. France (3:05) C
These two pieces come from the central Auvergne and Bourbonnais regions of France where there is a rich tradition of bagpipe and hurdy-gurdy music.
17) Changing Tides - Alison Vardy (4:32) C
Using the full range of the harp this piece ebbs and flows with mood and intensity.
18) Breezy Day - Alison Vardy (2:46) C
We get a lot of breezy days on this coast …. hold onto your hat!
Listen to Island Suite selections
1) E & N Boogie - Alison Vardy (3:27) P
All aboard! The E&N Railway was once the transportation and freight lifeline of Vancouver Island, BC, and had almost gone the way of the dodo at the time I wrote this tribute. Supported by avid communities up and down its length, it now has a bright future for scenic recreational and commuter travel.
2) Island Suite - Alison Vardy (4:04) C
The four musical themes in this composition visit the four southern Gulf Islands of Mayne, Pender, Saturna and Galiano off Canada’s West Coast.
3) Avre tu Puerta Serada / Adio Querida - Trad. Ladino (4:15) C
Open your closed door and Farewell Beloved, two beautiful love songs written in Ladino, the language of the Sephardic Jews (Judeo-Spanish).
4) Pula - Alison Vardy (3:29) P
Means Money or Rain in Setswana, one of the official languages of Botswana. Thanks to one of my Vancouver Island audience members for naming this piece for me.
5) Cape Breton Set - Trad. Cape Breton (4:56) C
I learned this set of lively tunes from the recordings of Nova Scotia born traditional flute player, Chris Norman. Transcribed for harp with addition of soundboard percussion! I Won’t Do the Work / 100 Pipers / Road to Skye
6) From the Shadows - Alison Vardy (6:47) C
The four themes of this composition move through the emotions of sombre to celebratory, as the key moves from C minor to C major.
7) Peter’s Peerie Boat / Willafjord - Tom Anderson / Trad. Shetland Islands (4:01) P
Tom Anderson is a renowned fiddler from the Shetland Islands but I learned these tunes from a couple of New Zealanders, both of them avid members of the Gaelic Society in Dunedin.
8) Bonnie at Morn / The Trees They do Grow High - Trad. England (3:17) C
Two contemplative broadside ballads from early England.
9) Sto mi e Milo / Kalimera - Trad. Macedonia/ Greece (4:55) C
A traditional village song followed by Good Morning! in Greece. Both of these pieces are in 7/8 rhythm.
10) Hornby Hornpipe / Off to California - Alison Vardy / Trad. Ireland (3:05) P
I love alliteration and Hornby Island in the Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Mainland is a favourite place of mine. Off to California is an Irish hornpipe and a popular choice at Celtic sessions and gatherings.
11) Si La Mar - Trad. Ladino (3:59) C
All about fishermen, young love and betrayal and delivered to you in 5/8 rhythm with lots of modulations! Arranged for solo harp from an adaptation by Moshe Denburg.
12) O’Carolan Set - Trad. Ireland (3:30) P
A medley of three tunes from 17th Century Ireland’s greatest bard,Turlough O’Carolan: George Brabazon / Bridget Cruise (#2) / Carolan’s Cap
13) Mildred’s Habanera - M. Plant , Arr. A Vardy (4:09) C
Mildred was a student of mine with a passion for Latin rhythms and a good ear for a melody.
14) Quebecois Set - Trad. Quebec (5:16) C
The Isles de Madeleine lie in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are part of the province of Quebec. The two marches that follow are originally associated with the playing of legendary Quebecois accordionist, Alfred Montmarquette (1871 – 1944). Isle de Madeleine / Marche des Ouvriers / Marche Cecilia
15) Kay’s Waltz / Malaika - Alison Vardy / Trad. W Africa (4:06) P
A waltz for my mother followed by a Swahili love song about a young man who yearns for his bride, Malaika.
16) Mazurka Limousin / Bouree - Trad. France (3:05) C
These two pieces come from the central Auvergne and Bourbonnais regions of France where there is a rich tradition of bagpipe and hurdy-gurdy music.
17) Changing Tides - Alison Vardy (4:32) C
Using the full range of the harp this piece ebbs and flows with mood and intensity.
18) Breezy Day - Alison Vardy (2:46) C
We get a lot of breezy days on this coast …. hold onto your hat!