In it’s 39th year, the Edinburgh International Harp Festival announces a magical line-up of harping talent. With Scotland’s clarsach at its heart, the festival showcases all aspects of the harp with a host of concerts, courses and workshops in a welcoming and inclusive environment, cementing its reputation as the friendliest harp festival in the world.
BEYOND BORDERS
With members from Germany, Iran and Iraq, the Tarab Trio combine harp, the santur (the Persian hammered dulcimer) and the saz (long necked lute) to perform music ranging from Kurdish folk dances and the early music of the Ottoman Court, to songs sung in both Arabic and Kurdish.
Singer and harpist Gwenan Gibbard will perform a blend of harp, voice and Welsh language with a varied selection of Folk songs, Traditional melodies and Penillion singing.
ACROSS THE IRISH SEA
Making a welcome return to the festival, Irish harpist Cormac de Barra (known for his work with Clannad’s Moya Brennan), will perform a solo selection of Irish airs and dance tunes.
From Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland, HighTime combine harp, flute, guitar and vocal harmonies to combine Irish music with a blend of modern Folk influences.
In an afternoon celebrating the Linked Arms of Ireland and Scotland, the musical links between Scotland and Ireland will be explored. Wire strung small harp player Bill Taylor will join Baroque opera specialist and singer Robert Getchell to present a programme of Scottish songs from the 17th-19th centuries and Co. Tipperary’s Kathleen Loughnane will perform music from the historic Patrick O’Neill collection. Representing the modern era of harping, Lily Neil will perform a selection highlighting the ever-evolving Irish and Scottish music scenes.
HOMEGROWN TALENT
Breaking stylistic barriers whilst maintaining their Scottish roots, composer and harp player Savourna Stevenson will perform with saxophonist Steve Kettley in a creative reunion that will prove both daring and accessible.
Performing on clarsach and fiddle respectively, Ingrid Henderson and Iain MacFarlane combine their rich heritage of the West Highlands with a genuine love and understanding of the tradition.
The 2019 winner of the Princess Margaret of the Isle’s Memorial Prize for Senior Clarsach, Elinor Evans will perform a programme of new arrangements of Traditional music, alongside contemporary pieces highlighting the versatility of the instrument in today’s modern era.
Drawing on his Hebridean Gaelic roots, clarsach player and Mod Gold Medal winner Calum Macleod will explore the art-form of self-accompaniment, with a range of Gaelic songs.
NEW MUSIC
In an evening of new music premieres, Scottish harpist Gillian Fleetwood and ensemble will present With Time as Our Guide, inspired by the 206-year-old Erard Grecian harp of Abroath’s Hospitalfield House, with imagery by photographer Martin John Henry.
In keeping with the inclusive spirit of the Festival, Isobel Mieras will direct the clarsach ensemble na Clarsairean, the Festival orchestra and Rhona Smith of Drake Music Scotland in the premier performance of a new suite Shapes and Shadows.
In association with the Clarsach Society, the 2019 Iain Macleòid Young Composer winner Ruth Lee will perform her winning composition, Dyr.
PEDAL HARP
With a performance that will feature Swing Era Jazz standards, French Gypsy Jazz classics and Traditional tunes from the Balkans, electro-acoustic pedal harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths will re-live the Parisian Jazz scene of the 1930s with fellow Transatlantic Hot Club member, violinist Adrien Chevalier.
Former Official Harpist to HRH Prince of Wales, Anne Denholm will perform contemporary works for solo harp, before being joined by fellow pedal harpist Eira Lynn Jones for a French duet finale.
NURTURING NEW TALENT
The EIHF has a history of providing a platform to the next generation of professional harpists in Scotland. The New Generation concert will feature City of Edinburgh Music School harpist Stephanie Humphreys, Glasgow based Dutch harpist Romy Wymer and the harp and fiddle duo of Justyna Kryžanowska and Chloe Bryce.
WORKSHOPS AND COURSES
A core element of EIHF is the chance to learn and share skills and knowledge in a wide range of workshops and courses.
Workshops (20 in total), will explore a variety of topics including the use of the harp in Music Therapy, Irish Stepdance, Gypsy Jazz harp, how to take care of your harp and an opportunity to observe renowned harpist Eira Lynn Jones at work in a masterclass.
Courses (40 in total), at every possible level, range from classes in: Baltic and Balkan, Bulgarian, Scottish, Irish, Welsh and American, to how to creatively write for the harp, working with Jazz standards, Duets, several courses for pedal harps and a chance for students to perform in the Festival Orchestra. There are also harp classes for adult and child beginners, with harps provided and even the chance to learn vocals, hand percussion and guitar.
HARPMAKERS’ EXHIBITION
Makers from all over Europe will be on hand at this vital element of the festival, displaying instruments ranging from faithful historical reproductions to the very latest developments in harp construction
QUOTES
Isobel Mieras, Joint Artistic Advisor of the EIHF, said:
“To me one of the best things about The Edinburgh International Harp Festival is the welcome we offer to all, regardless of age, experience, taste, origins or gender. As well as featuring some of the finest and best known performers from around the world in concert, our inclusive programme offers the chance to hear emerging young talent and exciting new collaborations. Our huge range of courses, taught by guest performers alongside some of our own excellent Scottish based teachers, satisfies the demand from experienced students for innovative techniques and repertoire, while offering music from many styles and traditions at all levels as well as classes for total beginners of all ages – something for everyone.”
Jennifer Port, convenor of the Clarsach Society, the organisation that runs the EIHF, said:
“The 39th Edinburgh International Harp Festival will be another bumper event with concerts and workshops to suit players of all ages and abilities. We are delighted to have Merchiston Castle School as our venue once again, it’s the perfect setting to welcome an array of fantastic Scottish and international performers throughout the duration of the annual celebration. The Clarsach Society, the umbrella organisation of EIHF, has 13 branches spread across all corners of the UK. Membership price ranges from £10-£25 giving members many benefits, including affordable harp hire, branch workshops and top-class tuition. The small membership fee contributes towards The Clarsach Society supporting EIHF, without which our charity would struggle to put on such a prestigious event every year. More information can be found at www.clarsachsociety.co.uk“
ENDS
Full program: www.harpfestival.co.uk
Festival Tickets: www.harpfestival.co.uk