Vancouver Harp Congress
Harps Galore Coming to
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by Lori Pappajohn
- Two months from now the biggest harp event on the planet will take place in
- The World Harp Congress & Festival, held once every three years (usually in Europe), is being held this year, for the first time, in
- During this week-long event, more than 100 of the world’s finest harpists will perform, give lectures and master classes. And some 800 participants are expected to attend from 40 different countries.
- For those of you who love harp, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll hear the world’s leading Irish harpists, Scottish harpists, classical harpists, Baroque harpists, jazz harpists, South American harpists, Chinese harpists …. and the list goes on and on.
- The festival includes a strong representation from the Celtic harp world — one headliner after another. And if you are trying to decide which concert to choose — good luck — they are all amazing. Here’s a sampling:
- If you’ve ever seen Máire ní Chathasaigh play the harp, you know you need to fasten your seat belt and hang on. Her fingers fly over the strings. She is an amazing player. Named Irish Traditional Musician of 2001, Máire has been hailed as one of
- Máire’s “celebrated virtuoso partnership” (The Daily Telegraph) with Chris Newman, “one of the
- “It isn’t every day one gets to hear musicians whose playing and singing are so moving, so wonderfully executed with such technical brilliance and beauty, that they actually bring tears to one’s eyes; they did to mine, and that concert will remain a lasting and unforgettable memory.” – Irish Music Magazine.
- Máire performs Sat., July 30, 4:30 p.m. at the Vogue Theatre.
- Patrick Ball and Winter Harp
- In a night of pure magic, legendary harper/storyteller Patrick Ball will present his soul-stirring account of the life of famed Irish harper/bard Turlough O’Carolan. Patrick Ball is one of the world’s great storytellers who has immersed himself in Irish history. So powerful is his storytelling and his harping (on the ancient Irish wire-strung harp) that you will find yourself completely under his spell and locked deep in the depths of his intriguing tale.
- O’Carolan’s story is set in
- The story, enriched by Carolan’s beautiful melodies and the crystalline sound of Patrick’s rare wire-strung harp, is charged with Irish wit and pathos, and demonstrates both the power of friendship and the vital role of the artist in troubled times.
- Patrick Ball performs Wed. July 27 at the Vogue Theatre after the Winter Harp performance. Winter Harp starts at 7:30 p.m., Patrick Ball at 8:30 p.m.
- Winter Harp has carved a name for itself as one of the top harp ensembles in
- Rüdiger Oppermann
- Rüdiger Oppermann is Germany´s foremost Celtic harp player. He began playing the harp in 1973 and has since virtuosically surpassed all existing standards on this instrument. He is an astonishing player. His traditional high-headed Irish harp is elaborately carved and has 38 gold-plated bronze strings.
- Rüdiger’s transformation from Celtic bard to crossover world-musician is well documented on more than 40 CDs.
- Expect unusual arrangements, superb musicality and an electric edge. Oppermann performs with the acclaimed
- Kim Robertson
- Also coming to the Festival is Kim Robertson, arguably the world’s most famous Celtic harpist. She was key in the revival of the Celtic harp which was seldom heard prior to the 1970s. But her dedication to the instrument and the ancient Celtic tunes have spawned a renaissance of the instrument worldwide. Her international touring career along with her 30-some recording projects have made her a force to be reckoned with. Her playing is astonishingly beautiful. There are few who even come close to her level of performance with her breath-takingly beautiful arrangements and inspiring improvisations. The harp, in her hands, sings pure magic.
- Kim performs with Canadian Celtic harpist Sharlene Wallace Fri., July 29, 4:30 p.m.
- Marta Cook
- Then there is Marta Cook, another headliner. She has played the Celtic harp from a young age and is widely considered another of the world’s finest. In 2001, she won first prize at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Irish music’s world championship competition. She has toured extensively and has recorded for the Sony Classical label, collaborating with Natalie MacMaster and with Yo-Yo Ma whom she won a double Grammy with. Marta performs Sun., July 24 at 5 p.m. at the Welcoming Reception at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel Atrium.
- Other Celtic performers include:
- Catriona McKay — Scottish harping legend (with fiddler Chris Stout ) Sat., July 30, 3 p.m., Vogue Theatre
- Anne Postic — Award-winning Breton harpist, Thurs., July 28, 4:30 p.m.
- Sharlene Wallace — Canadian Celtic and world harper extraordinaire, Fri., July 29, 4:30 p.m.
- Alys Howe and Seumas Gagne —
- Is your head spinning yet? It ought to be, as this is the list of only the Celtic harpists….. You may also want to take in some of the classical harp concerto concerts at the Orpheum with members of the Vancouver Symphony. These concerts, featuring some of the world’s greatest classical players, are followed by jazz concerts by some of the world’s finest jazz players.
- You can find out more about evening concerts at http://www.worldharpcongress2011.com/festival/
- For information on the World Harp Congress & Festival day time concerts visit the website: www.worldharpcongress2011.com
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Note: You can buy one-day registrations if you so choose.
Renowned storyteller/harper Patrick Ball relates the touching and poignant tale of Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan.