Irish harpers were celebrated in myths and legends as the sound of Ireland. The most famous was Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) who traveled the Irish countryside, composing over 200 melodies that blend traditional Irish folk music with the style of his contemporaries Vivaldi and Corelli. Honored with the title “Chief Musician of Ireland”, he left his music as a gift to the world: elegant baroque style melodies, lively jigs and dreamy laments. Carolan continues to inspire musicians to this day. This recording presents Carolan’s musical gifts in a chamber music style performed on Celtic harp, Irish flute, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, viola da gamba, guitar and piano.

Tune List

1. Miss Murphy, Sue Richards (3:10)
2. The Two William Davises/ Kean O’Hara, Karen Ashbrook (6:33)
3. Sir Charles Coote/Captain Higgins, Robin Bullock (4:30)
4. Terence MacDonough, Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble (2:14)
5. Elizabeth McDermott Rowe/Miss Noble, Sue Richards (4:36)
6. Bridget Cruise, Maggie Sansone (2:58)
7. Constantine Maguire, Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble (2:35)
8. Paspie Minuet/ Mr. Waller, Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts (5:11)
9. Sidh Beag, Sidh Mor, Al Petteway (1:29)
10. Mary O’Neill, Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble (2:38)
11. Mabel Kelly, Sue Richards (3:31)
12. Isabella Burke, Karen Ashbrook (3:57)
13. Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady, Robin Bullock (3:19)
14. Fanny Poer, Sue Richards (3:43)

Liner Notes
Below is a list of the recordings and musicians featured on this collection, for more details you go to each of the albums and read the complete liner notes:

Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts, Celtic Café
*Paspie Minuet/ Mr. Waller: Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer), Paul Oorts (guitar), Andrea Hoag (violin), Dave Wiesler (piano), Dwight Purvis (French horn)

Karen Ashbrook, Hills of Erin
The Two William Davises / Kean O'Hara: Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer, Irish flute), Marc Glickman (piano), Carolyn Surrick (viola da gamba)
Isabella Burke: Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer), David Scheim (piano), Carolyn Surrick (viola da gamba)

Robin Bullock, Between Earth & Sky
Sir Charles Coote/Captain Higgins: Robin Bullock (guitars)
Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady: Robin Bullock (citterns, guitar & bass)

Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble, Celtic Lace
Mary O'Neill: Sue Richards (Celtic harp) & Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer)

Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble, Silver Apples of the Moon
Constantine Maguire: Sue Richards (Celtic harp), Connie McKenna (guitar), Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer)

Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble, Women of Ireland
Terence MacDonough: Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer) & Carol Rose Duane (Celtic harp)

Al Petteway, Whispering Stones
Sidh Beag, Sidh Mor: Al Petteway (guitar)

Sue Richards, Hazel Grove
Miss Murphy: Sue Richards (Celtic harp), Carolyn Surrick (Viola da gamba)
Elizabeth McDermott Rowe/Miss Noble: Sue Richards (Celtic harp), Carolyn Surrick (Viola da gamba)

Sue Richards, Morning Aire
Fanny Poer: Sue Richards (Celtic harp), Carolyn Surrick (viola da gamba), Bonnie Rideout (fiddle)
Mabel Kelly: Sue Richards (Celtic harp), Carolyn Surrick (viola da gamba)

Maggie Sansone, Traditions
Bridget Cruise: Maggie Sansone (hammered dulcimer)

Music written by Turlough O'Carolan, arrangements are by the artists.
*Traditional Belgian

CREDITS:
Executive Producer, Maggie Sansone; Compilation mastered by Charlie Pilzer, Airshow, Springfield, VA
Cover Art & design: Art Director, Richard Crenshaw; Graphics, Jennifer Johnson; Photo: Steve Porter.

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