Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus! Happy Saint David's Day!
Actually I’m a day late as it was on March 1st, but nonetheless, as Wales is one of the most important harping nations, it’s never too late to celebrate!
Over on my Patreon Page I’m teaching two lovely Welsh tunes this month (plus two Irish ones to come), so check that out if you’d like to learn some Welsh Music for harp. And to continue the festivities, here are 4 of my favourite Welsh Harpists - check them out!
Catrin Finch
Internationally renowned Welsh harpist Catrin Finch is one of the most accomplished harpists of her generation, and has been delighting audiences with her performances across the UK and worldwide, since the age of five.
In 2000 she had the honour of reviving the ancient tradition of Royal Harpist to H.R.H, the Prince of Wales, a position she held until 2004, which was last held during Queen Victoria’s reign in 1873. Since then, she has performed extensively throughout the USA, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Europe, both as a soloist, and appearing with many of the world’s top orchestras.
She has recorded for most of the major international recording companies, including Universal Records, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI and Sony Classical.
Gwenan Gibbard
Gwenan is at the forefront of today’s thriving Welsh traditional music scene with her unique, contemporary arrangements of Welsh traditional music and songs in the Welsh language. She also specialises in the unique art of ‘Cerdd Dant’, the ancient form of singing Welsh poetry to the accompaniment of the harp, and is one of the few people who performs this music self-accompanied on the harp. Her performances have been far and wide, in numerous festivals and concerts in several countries, and she has released three solo albums on the Sain label.
Robin Huw Bowen
Since 1983, Robin Huw Bowen has introduced the Welsh Triple Harp and its music to thousands all over the world. As the only full-time professional Welsh harpist specializing solely in the Welsh Triple Harp, his influence on the world of Welsh folk music and harping has been far-reaching. He undoubtedly ranks among the most important figures that the Welsh folk tradition has produced.
http://teires.tth7.co.uk/en/index.php
Harriet Earis
Harriet is one of the foremost exponents of the Celtic harp in the UK, specialising in Welsh, Irish and Scottish music. Together with her love of Celtic music, Harriet speaks Welsh, Irish and Scots Gaelic and has a degree in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies from Trinity College, Cambridge (1998-2001). She is a full-time musician, touring extensively throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and America.
http://www.harrietearis.com/