Alan Stivell – Tri martolod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hylSFXW0CXA

One of the world’s great folk harp pioneers, still going strong.   And that harp is simply amazing.   If you want to hear all the truly unique sounds Alan Stivell can get a harp to make, go out and buy one of his CD’s.  You won’t regret it.

Arpa Peruana

Back from vacation in B.C.  July is turning out to be a busy month for weddings and the like, so for now we’ve got a couple more videos, all the way from Peru!   Considering the harp is one of the oldest instruments in human history, it’s not surprising that nearly every culture has developed its own unique style of harp and harp playing.  Still, it never ceases to amaze me how different each type of harp, and its corresponding technique, can be from each other, and just how much variety there is in the harp world. 

The first one features harpist Otoniel Ccayanchira playing Peruvian Andian music, as well as some traditional dancers. Courtesy of FolkPeru21

The next one features a solo harp piece performed by Florencio Coronado,  followed by a Peruvian folk band and singer (Esmila Zevallos).  Good close-ups of the harpist’s hands at the beginning if you want to check out the traditional Peruvian technique a little more closely.

Courtesy of proansa

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoying the great outdoors…

Si Bheag Si Mhor, one of O’Carolan’s most popular tunes, played by Mark Harmer on Celtic harp.

“Flying to the fleadh”, slip jig by Patrick Davey, played by FairyHarper, with “accompaniment by the crows and birds of ireland”.