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Jerusha, Rhett’s version is a solo piece to the best of my knowledge. Kreig is correct, it is the Appalachian folk hymn. This song was around when I was a child (I’m North Carolinian) but almost no one around me here in the “north” recognizes it. I have a good friend who has been a church organist and pianist for 40 + years, and she had never heard it. Concordia Choir does a lovely version, but my personal favorite is the Mormon Tabernacle choir version. The song moves at a gentle, low pitched pace, very serious in nature, very reflective. Both are on You-Tube. Rhett’s version is not as long and quite a bit simpler, but you could extend it a bit by reworking sections. If you like hymns, give it a listen. I think sometimes harpists confuse it with the Salzedo, Song in the Night, a totally different piece.
Jerusha, A Song of the Wind was the first piece by Harry J. Chalmers I did at the Christmas recital. I tried to post a link here but it didn’t work. Anyway, go to you-tube, type in…. a song of the wind fantasie harp…., and that would be me playing. Remember, I am not professional, and do not pretend to be. I know about all the mistakes in it. The newest piece, A Spanish Interlude, is also a Chalmers piece.
Hi Jerusha! My teacher has me trying to get A Spanish Interlude by Harry J. Chalmers, ready for the spring recital. (Maybe the Christmas recital is more realistic, but I will see what happens. I did A Song of the Wind for this past Christmas also by Chalmers, and I survived!) Also, for Maundy Thursday at church, one of Rhett Barnwell’s newer titles, My Song in the Night. That one will be ready. Add to that, all the usual for St. Patrick’s Day performances, just the standard pieces, nothing hard there.
I have played one, and went with a girlfriend when she ended up purchasing one. The Marion is quite large, so a handful for her (she is in her mid to late 60’s) but when she listened to the others on sale at the time, I have to agree, it outplayed the others also for sale. Two of the ones you have listed above are smaller than the Marion, so maybe not good to compare them. The Voyageur I have seen and heard, and also a great harp. The Marion is a great choice if you want a larger floor harp with a big sound. Be sure if you drive an economy sized car, it will fit. Even if harps are the same weight, I find that the larger they are, the more awkward they become to carry. All the harps you are listing, come from dependable makers. Best of luck and fun shopping! Sherj
Harps in general, outlive horses as well. (I am not trying to negate the fact that horses are living creatures that can love and be loved by their humans, just that a pedal harp is more of a one or two time purchase during your life, and can then be passed on to another.) I think in general harps are welcomed in apartments, houses, etc. A horse might not be. So now you have to build a barn….just trying to inject a little humor here……I do however have friends that play violin. In general, when you strum a harp that’s in tune, you get a great sound from the start. Glisses are very inspiring! The violin requires about 5 years for a young person to acquire a level of proficiency, and maybe that’s why so many give up so quickly as young students, per a friend who is a strings public school teacher. Maybe harp is a perfect fit for her!
At 38 strings, you have a larger size floor harp, so maybe that’s where part of the “professional” label comes in. Personally, gut is a sound preference. It is more mellow than nylon. I think a lot of true Celtic style players, might prefer the brighter tone of nylon, and the way it performs in fast pieces. I have both! I will tell you when my fingers or hands bother me, I back off of gut, and play nylon. I wonder if the Korrigan is strung in lever gut, which is between the nylon and pedal gut? I also think it might pay to buy a harp that can be strung in gut. If you wanted to, you can usually change out gut and put on nylon. You would probably need to have it regulated then. You can not however, put gut on a harp meant to be strung in nylon. The tension needed for gut is higher. Neither has anything to do with your ability. Best of luck in your harp shopping. Sherj
Jill,
We might be able to help you find a rental if we had a general idea about where you are, not specific. I couldn’t ask you privately because there was no shared e-mail on your profile. There is, in my opinion, a subtle advantage to playing the harp over violin. (I know, you didn’t ask…) Harp students seem to stand out in their peers eyes, as doing something special since there aren’t very many of them. There are of course the ones who taunt them as well, but the young people around me have a different level of confidence, and I believe that is particularly important in this day and age. Sorry to digress from the purpose of your post, but I wanted to throw that in.
Also, all those expenses you note, don’t have to come overnight. They come in stages, so the burden isn’t that great all at once. Years ago, I was sitting outside my young daughter’s flute teacher’s house as she had a lesson, and was speaking to a mother, waiting for her older daughter to come out. I made the comment to her, at least our daughters aren’t playing the piano, how expensive is that? She looked at me and said, you haven’t priced flutes have you? At the time, a low/mid end flute for a serious student at a music program, was $35,000.00. (I haven’t had to price them in 8 years or so.) I just want you to know, a concert harp just might cost you a little less…is your wallet feeling better now? (smile)
Anyway, if you want to share a general location, we all might be able to help you with a harp rental. Warmest regards, SherjTry to find a teacher you like for SKYPE lessons, so you have help with your technique. It’s not a perfect solution, but it might work for you. Good luck. Sherj
Donna, maybe it depends on what you want to do with your music. My mother’s Prelude was lovely and had a great sound. I have a Steen lever harp and a L&H Style 17 pedal harp. If you are playing out professionally, some people might have a preference for which harp they prefer, i.e. a very formal wedding might request a pedal harp only, orchestras also. A small wedding among friends might prefer a lever harp. I own both and that works best for me. I know people who buy lever harps with more of a pedal harp look. My mom was quite tall and felt she needed the taller Prelude, and did not want a pedal harp. I love the smaller pedal harps, so much easier to transport. I would grab it if I could!
I absolutely love them! I have never spoken to Lori personally, but we exchanged several e-mails a few years ago, and she was very nice to “speak” with. I had asked her about a specific harp she was using during performances. Watch their Avalon video on line from the movie, and listen to their clips. I own most of their CD’s, and they are worth every penney. If I were in Canada during one of their performances, you couldn’t keep me away!!!! Sherj
Hi Jerusha. Try e-mailing Pam Styke at plstyke@cox.net
I don’t know if she has one made but she is worth asking. Best of luck. SherjAs I recall, after Thanksgiving, and before Christmas. It seems to go on about all month. I’m sure if you e-mail them, they will give you a better idea. They are nice people and eager to assist you. I have gotten an e-mail in the past telling me it was on. Sherj
Hi Donna,
I just purchased the piece this past weekend, and while I haven’t gotten into it, John Wickey (Atlanta Harp Center) played it for me and it’s a beautiful arrangement. It’s written in the key of G. I tend to agree the intro and closing is pedal harp, but just glancing through it, the melody has some changes on “C”. Maybe adaptable to lever harp if you do a completely different intro and closing? Maybe someone more experienced with the piece can comment. Have you looked for a simple piano version you can embelish? Best of luck. Sherj
