The Edinburgh International Harp Festival (EIHF) proudly unveils the harping gems for its 2010 festival at the Merchiston Castle Campus in Edinburgh.
EIHF 2010 will feature an international line-up of concerts, collaborations, ceilidhs and classes in an exciting mix of traditions and instruments both old and new including the premiere of the winner from its Young Composers Competition.
Mary Scott, Festival Co-ordinator, introduces the programme: “We are delighted to be welcoming such a strong line-up of newcomers and festival favourites. Artists are appearing from harp traditions as varied as Paraguay , Thailand , Brittany, Germany , America and our Celtic cousins”.
Park combines the life of a freelance travelling jazz musician based in New York with life on a farm in Switzerland. This lifestyle is reflected in the breadth and energy of his hugely entertaining performances making him one of the world’s most popular and admired harpists.
Triona Marshall – Currently harpist with the renowned Irish group, The Chieftains, Triona appears as a soloist with music from the great Irish tradition played in her own inimitable way
Catriona McKay and Chris Stout – Will perform a set of dynamic music from their new album, White Nights
Gwenan Gibbard - A wide repertoire of dance tunes, gypsy music, beautiful songs and variations – all in her own new, magical arrangements
Corinna Hewat & Mr McFall’s Chamber - Corrina has rewritten her Making the Connection suite for two harps (Corrina Hewat and Mary Macmaster) two voices (Inge Thomson and Mairi Campbell) pipes (Lorne MacDougall) and percussion (Donald Hay) plus the inimitable Mr McFall’s Chamber. The Festival is delighted to give a rare third opportunity to hear this exciting piece.
Maggie MacInnes Trio with Maggie singing and playing clarsach, Brian McAlpine on keyboards and accordion and Anna Massie on guitar. Maggie will sing Gaelic songs many of which have been in her family for generations as well as one or two favourite Scots songs.
Tom Daun – Tom is one of the leading folk harp players in Germany . His music ranges from Renaissance and Baroque to Celtic tunes and his own compositions.
Martin Portillo – is one of Paraguay ’s most versatile performers and composers. His performance brings the instrument alive with rhythm, excitement and a new diversity.
Enzo Vacca performing songs, ballads and dances from Piedmont . For this performance he is joined by three Scottish musicians to present music based on the collections made by Costantino Nigra.
Francois Pernel - Demonstrates extraordinary originality and versatility in a programme which features his own arrangements of traditional music alongside compositions in the style of Satie, Chopin, Scriabin and Messiaen, and music by the late great Breton harpist Kristen Noguès
RSAMD Harp Quartet is a creative and vibrant group of talented young musicians whose goal is to promote modern harp music by collaborating with living composers and arrangers, led by Alina Bzhezhinska.
Paul Dooley (metal-strung harp) – Paul presents an eclectic selection of pieces old and new from the Celtic countries.
Helen MacLeod & Emma Wilkins will be launching their new CD at the Festival - The Garden of Adonis named after the piece by Alan Hovhaness, which includes music from around the world by Dutch, Argentinean and Armenian composers – as well as Scotland ’s own Eddie McGuire.
Tamnak Prathom – A Hint of Thailand ! The Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre came into being seven years ago and the harp ensemble was formed just over a year ago. This unique international project fuses the wealth and colours of Thai folk music, the country’s classical heritage and contemporary jazz style in compositions by the King of Thailand.
Lewis Harp Group with Alison Kinnaird & Wendy Stewart – This concert features many traditional tunes and songs from the island of Lewis as well as compositions by group members who have been inspired by the landscape and the people.
Rachel Newton & Lillias Kinsman – Their music draws on influences from the Highlands of Scotland to the Borders and beyond, incorporating both Gaelic and English songs with traditional and contemporary melodies.
Emily Hoile - A Geordie by birth, Emily's repertoire, ranging from traditional to contemporary folk and including her own compositions, has delighted audiences each side of the border.
Gleusta (Mairi MacLeod and Ross Garrod) have excited audiences with their clever balance of traditional folk, jazz, contemporary, classical and Gaelic music.
na Clarsairean – The Festival orchestra and members of na Clarsairean will perform The Megget Valley, a suite by Isobel Mieras, incorporating traditional and new music in a celebration of Scotland ’s Border country.
Mary Scott concludes: “EIHF 2010 will be a heady mixture not only of first class performances and jamming sessions throughout but an opportunity for audiences to get inspired through hands-on harping for all ages and abilities.
“Not only can audiences look forward to enjoying beautiful music and learning new skills, they will forge many enduring friendships as EIHF goes from strength to strength”.
“Full details of performances, ticketing packages, exhibitions and workshops are now available from the Festival programme and our website www.harpfestival.co.uk “