Air on the G string J. S. Bach 1685-1750
This wonderful melody comes from the Suite in D, traditionally transcribed by violinists into a lower key so that its sonority really pierces the heart.

The Clergyman’s Lamentation Traditional
This was first published in 1724 by O’Neil in Dublin and is attributed to the famous blind harpist composer Turlogh O'Carolan 1670-1738.

Moll in the Wadd Traditional
Neil Gow collected Scottish and Irish melodies and published them in the late nineteenth century. This jig appears in his second edition printed in 1810.

Siembra (The Sowing Season) Andrés Sás
Founded on a Peruvian Folk Song this lonely arrangement seems to describe a peaceful pastoral landscape glimpsed from a high mountain.

The Foggy, Foggy Dew Traditional
A young bachelor's excuse for making love to his "young maid" and so he “hauled her into bed and covered up her head to keep her from the foggy, foggy dew."

Caprice No. 13 ‘The Devil’s Laugh’ Niccolo Paganini 1782-1840
At the age of eighteen. Paganini was frustrated at not having enough ‘difficult’ music to play so he wrote these spectacular Caprices. Even today they are exceptionally difficult to play and seem almost contemporary in conception.

Première Arabesque Claude Debussy 1862-1918
The Première Arabesque is included in most harpists repertoire. With its felicitous arpeggios and elegant romanticism, it seems more suited to the harp than the piano. There are many pianists who agree!

Ave Maria Bach - Gounod
When Charles Gounod (1818-1893) added a melodic line so Bach's first prelude in C. it was considered a 'reprehensible' act by many musicians. However the combined geniuses of both composers have created the most famous and well loved devotional song.

Voi che Sapete (The Marriage of Figaro) WA. Mozart 1756-1791
This Aria describes Cherubino’s conflicting emotions of excitement and fear as he falls in love with every woman he sees. His breathless excitement is captured in this instrumental arrangement

Sonata in C for Violin and Harp Antonio Vivaldi 1676-I 741
Allegro non Molto, Larghetto, Allegro
Originally a Trio for violin. lute and bass, it makes a very successful sonata for violin and harp, combining his extrovert and lively style with an intense and poetic melodic line in the sow movement

Scarborough Fair Traditional
Perhaps the moss famous of all British Folk Songs. The narrator, who is selling herbs. asks the traveler to contact his sweetheart in Scarborough. She will win his heart if she completes various tasks for him.

Now is the Month of Maying Thomas Morley 1557-1603
Although composed by Thomas Morley this song has been accepted in the world of Folk Songs. It celebrates the coming of Spring with joyfulness on all levels, the regeneration of nature and the first stirrings of love.

The Meditation from Thaïs Jules Massenet 1842-1912
In the Opera, Thaïs, a beautiful courtesan wants to redeem herself and gain salvation. The meditation comes an this moment of longing for change.

Sad Marguerite at the Spinning Wheel Albert Zabel 1835-1910
Zabel was harpist so the last Tsar of Russia. played with the Imperial Ballet an St Petersburg and taught an the Conservatoire. He wrote many outstanding romantic pieces for his distinguished Russian patrons.

Caprice No. 24 Niccolo Paganini 1782 - 1840
Another 'Devilish' Caprice in Variation form The theme has been used by many composers, notably Rachmoninov in his Paganini Rhapsody for piano and orchestra.

On Wings of Song Felix Mendelssohn 1809 - 1847
This was one of the most popular nineteenth century songs. It describes a moonlit paradise filled with flowers and a dream of love that has blessed us and a joy that will never fade.

Consolations No. 3 Franz Liszt 1811 - 1886
Many of Liszt’s piano compositions use harp-like figurations and he enthusiastically urged harpists so include them in their concerts.

The Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana Pietro Mascagni 1863-1945
The Intermezzo is played in the middle of this full blooded and passionate opera.

Summer is i-cumen in Traditional
Dating from the thirteenth century. it celebrates the coming of Summer Everything is in abundance and the Buck farts from having eaten too much grass. This arrangement depicts a drunken revelry in the village (with bagpipes!) The cuckoo has the last word.

 

Notes by David Watkins

Credits

Recorded and produced by BMCC at The Barns, Village Farm. GL54 5RU, England
Cover photo© David Markson. Design and layout david@goodmangraphics.co.uk

©2004 David Watkins and Michael Bochmann