Tuesday 29 November 2022
Edward Bunting Digital Harp Collection
In 2016 Music Network gathered ten of Ireland's leading harpers in the studio of the Irish Traditional Music Archive to record tunes collected by Edward Bunting (1773–1843) at the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival and published in his 1797 "A General Collection of the Ancient Music of Ireland [Volume 1]". These recordings, and the digitised printed volume were to become the source of inspiration for a commission awarded to internationally acclaimed artist Aideen Barry by ITMA and Music Network in 2020. Oblivion / Seachmalltacht / ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᐅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᑦ, a multimedia installation premiered at Limerick City Gallery of Art in December 2021, and has continued to tour nationally and internationally.
Edward Bunting (1773–1843): an introduction
Dr Helen Lawlor
The harp in Gaelic Ireland was an instrument of great prestige. Harpers were part of the courts of Chieftains, second in status only to the file (poet).
Following the decline of the old Gaelic order, harpers still found favour among the aristocratic Anglo-Irish and were received as esteemed guests in the great Irish houses. However, changing musical tastes and precarious socio-political circumstances contributed to a decline in that once glorious tradition.
By the end of the eighteenth century, harping in Ireland was at a very low ebb and the ancient tradition on the brink of collapse. Edward Bunting (1773–1843) – music collector, publisher, editor, organist – is credited with saving the music of the Irish harp for posterity at a time when it was in danger of permanent loss.
Born in Armagh, Bunting received his early training on organ at the Church of Ireland cathedral, Armagh. By 1784 he was appointed assistant to William Ware, organist at St Anne’s Church Belfast where his musical talent was recognised.
During his time in Belfast he interacted with key individuals in Belfast society, including Dr James MacDonnell, Henry Joy, Wolfe Tone and the McCracken family.
The Belfast Harp Festival of 11–14 July, 1792 was organised by the Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge. They called an assembly of the harpers, considered then to be descendants of the ancient bardic tradition. The festival was timed to coincide with the celebrations of the third anniversary of the Fall of the Bastille in Paris, when many prominent United Irishmen would be in Belfast. Many attended daily, as Wolfe Tone wrote in his diary, ‘all go to the harpers at once’.
Only 10 harpers arrived, evincing the drastic decline in the tradition. Bunting, then 19, was hired to transcribe and preserve the ancient music of these harpers.
The music of the harpers so captivated the young Bunting that he set about further collection of what was considered to be a repertoire of the verge of extinction.
He travelled around various parts of Ireland collecting from ageing harpers such as Denis Hempson and Arthur O’Neill.
In 1796 Bunting published his first collection, A General Collection of the Ancient Irish Music. Some airs were used in Thomas Moore’s subsequent publications and set to his poetry, creating widespread popularity in Ireland and abroad for collections of ancient melodies. In 1809 Bunting published his second volume, A general collection of the ancient music of Ireland, complete with newly composed poetry set to melodies, following Moore’s approach. In 1840 Bunting published his substantial third volume with significantly detailed information on the harping tradition and anecdotes of harpers. The ancient music of Ireland is a treasure trove of historical descriptions complete with 151 airs.
Bunting was a talented musician and teacher. He lived between Belfast and Dublin, contributing to the musical life of both cities through his concert organisation, church performances and teaching. He was recognised outside of Ireland too as a talented performer.
His legacy however almost wholly rests on his work with Irish harpers. While often criticised for over editing or arranging the harpers repertoire to suit contemporaneous tastes, Bunting made an irreplaceable contribution to the preservation of Irish music through his collections and publications.
Much of our knowledge today stems from his work, work that has generated and inspired imaginative artistic responses since its publication. He recognised the existence of a rare and beautiful music and utilised his talents to document that tradition for posterity.
Shall we suffer them to perish in our hands at the close of perhaps the last century in which a single new ray of light can be struck out amidst the gloom, with which time envelops the earliest and often the most interesting of its works?”
Edward Bunting, 1797
Written by Dr Helen Lawlor
BUNTING TUNES 1 – 6 / LAOISE KELLY, HARP
Laoise Kelly from Westport, now living on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, is one of Ireland's leading traditional harpers. She has pioneered a new style of driving instrument harp playing, combining the techniques of fingerpads in the bass, and fingernails in the melody, on a thirty-four gut strung Paddy Cafferky harp.
Laoise has performed and recorded nationally and internationally with the foremost artists in Irish music from The Chieftains to Kate Bush, and has recorded three critically acclaimed solo albums.
She is Director of the Achill International Harp Festival, and in 2020 was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the year.
1. Ad gcoigreach ma bin tu, air = If to a foreign clime you go, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
2. Colladh an tsionnaidh, air = The foxes sleep, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
3. Speic Seoighach, air = Joice's tune, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
4. Drioghnan Donn, air = The brown thorn, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
5. Bean righ na sibhrach, air = Fairy Queen, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
6. A cailin a bhfaca sibh Sorsa?, air = Girls have you seen George?, air / Laoise Kelly, harp
BUNTING TUNES 7 – 12 / ÉILIS LAVELLE, HARP
Eilís Lavelle, a harpist from Monaghan, began learning music at a young age. At present she is undertaking a PhD, focusing on eighteenth-century collector Edward Bunting’s collection of music in Queen’s University, Belfast.
In recent years she has gained extensive experience as a performer and teacher of the harp having performed throughout USA, Canada, Europe and further afield. Broadcasts include performances on Tg4, RTÉ Television, BBC Television and Radio, RTÉ Lyric Fm and Raidió na Gaeltachta.
7. Tá an samhradh teacht, air = The summer is coming, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
8. Catlin Triail, air = Kitty Tyrrel, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
9. A ghilla na sgriub anantrat, air = The beardless boy, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
10. Plangstigh Druraidh, air = Planxty Drury, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
11. A Shean Truicha, air = Old Truagh, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
12. Mailigh St Seorse, air = Molly St George, air / Éilis Lavelle, harp
BUNTING TUNES 13 – 18 / MÁIRE NÍ CHATHASAIGH, HARP
Máire is “the doyenne of Irish harp players” (Scotland on Sunday) and 2001 recipient of Irish music’s most prestigious Award, Gradam Ceoil TG4 – Traditional Musician of the Year - “for the excellence and pioneering force of her music, the remarkable growth she has brought to the music of the harp in Ireland and for the positive influence she has had on the young generation of harpers.” A multiple All-Ireland and Pan-Celtic winner, she developed profoundly influential techniques for harp performance of traditional Irish music, heard on her pioneering New-Strung Harp (1985), her recent trio album with The Casey Sisters and seven duo and two quartet recordings with guitarist Chris Newman - with whom she tours worldwide. A TV programme in TG4’s 'Sé mo Laoch series about Máire and her sister Nollaig was recently broadcast.
www.mairenichathasaigh.com www.maireandchris.com www.thecaseysisters.com
13. Paistin Fionn, air = The fair-haired child, air / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
14. Gradh gan fios, air = Love in secret, air / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
15. Dfosgail si an doras go cuin o, air = Open the door softly, air / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
16. Maighistreas Cole, air = Madam Cole, air / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
17. Aislean an oigfear, air = The young man's dream / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
18. Murnin na gruaige bane, air = The charmer with the fair locks, air / Máire Ní Chathasaigh, harp
BUNTING TUNES 19 – 24 / ANNE-MARIE O'FARRELL, HARP
Leading lever harpist of her generation, Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell from Dublin has performed all over the world as a solo artist, accompanist and in ensembles, and is regularly featured in broadcasts.
On lever harp, she is particularly recognized for her expansion of repertoire and levering techniques, as a result of which the world’s leading harpmakers Salvi Harps redesigned their lever harps to become concert instruments.
She has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Irish Baroque Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Irish Memory Orchestra, and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra with whom she premiered Ryan Molloy's Concerto for lever harp, Gealán.
A prolific recording artist, she has released several CDs, including Just So Bach, Harping Bach to Carolan, The Jig’s Up, My Lagan Love, and Embrace. New Directions for Irish Harp; Double Strung and Duopoly with Cormac De Barra; and Harp to Harp with harmonica player Brendan Power. She is frequently invited to give recitals, workshops and masterclasses at international conferences and festivals around the world, in addition to performance at several World Harp Congresses.
Dedicated to the development of the Irish harp, she has published critical editions of Bach’s cello, keyboard and lute repertoire. She has recently completed several large-scale commissions showcasinging the harp, including an Irish harp concerto, and a five-movement work for large harp ensemble.
19. Cassadh an tsugan me, air = The twisting of the rope, air / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
20. A Donach na bi fogarthach, air = Dennis don't be threatening, air / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
21. Plangstigh Cheallaigh, air = Planxty Kelly, air / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
22. Carruig an aoibnis, air = The pleasant rocks, air / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
23. Ben bhan, air = The fairy woman, air / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
24. Rois Dilloun, air = Rose Dillon, air ; Jigg, jig / Anne-Marie O'Farrell, harp
BUNTING TUNES 25 – 30 / MARY LOUISE O'DONNELL, HARP
Mary Louise O’Donnell is a harpist and musicologist who has performed extensively throughout Ireland, Europe, Africa and Asia as a soloist and with various ensembles. She was awarded a doctorate by the University of Limerick in 2009 and, since then, has published widely on topics relating to Irish cultural history, semiotics and performance studies. Her first book, Ireland’s Harp: The Shaping of Irish Identity c. 1770-1880, was published in 2014 by UCD Press. Mary Louise has received many awards and grants to further her research, including an Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, Fulbright Scholarship, and Centre Culturel Irlandais Fellowship. Her current research focuses on the diverse ways in which the Irish harp was used to construct identity among Irish emigrants to North America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In 2019, Mary Louise was appointed Musician-in-Residence with Fingal County Council and, in 2020, she and her sister Teresa released an album entitled Heavenly Harps, Heavenly Cloths: Contemporary Music for the Irish Harp by Brian Boydell.
25. Sgarfuint na gcompanach, air = The parting of friends, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
26. Taleor an grain, air = The ugly tailor, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
27. Caislean Ui Neil, air = Castle O'Neil, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
28. Catigh na gCuach, air = Kitty the Cuckoo, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
29. Maidin fomar, air = The harvest morn, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
30. Sean Mac Eire an Glanne, air = John Heir of the Glen, air / Mary Louise O'Donnell, harp
BUNTING TUNES 31 – 36 / TERESA O'DONNELL, HARP
Teresa O’Donnell has worked as a freelance pedal and Irish harpist throughout Ireland, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. She began her harp studies with the late Sr. Eugene McCabe at Mount Sackville School, Dublin. Teresa lectured in music at St. Patrick’s College, DCU and was awarded a Foras Feasa fellowship to research a PhD which she completed in 2021. She has performed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and has been a musician in residence with Fingal County Council since 2019. Teresa has appeared on several TV networks including, RTÉ, TG4, BBC, CNN and NHK (Japan). In collaboration with her sister, Mary Louise, they have released an album of music for the Irish harp by Brian Boydell, entitled, Heavenly Harps, Heavenly Cloths.
31. Bruach na Seanoinne, air = The banks of the Shannon, air / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
32. Cailin Donn, air = The brown maid, air / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
33. Era gaddigh goid mo slainte uaim, air = The jointure, air ; Jigg, jig / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
34. Riguin an uaigneas, air = The forlorn Queen, air / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
35. Pearla an bhrollaigh bhain, air = The snowy-breasted pearl, air / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
36. Mreagud Ni Maoleoin, air = Madge Malone, air / Teresa O'Donnell, harp
BUNTING TUNES 37 – 42 / ÚNA NÍ FHLANNAGÁIN, HARP
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin is an award-winning harper-composer and singer from Co. Galway, Ireland. An instrumentalist of verve and imagination, she is rooted in diverse musical influences such as the dance music tradition of North Clare, the sean-nós singing style of Maigh Seola, the American post-minimalists and free jazz. She has performed her wildly energetic jigs and reels, delicate hornpipes and emotive slow airs throughout Ireland, Europe, North America and the Middle East, winning multiple prizes at the All-Ireland Fleadh, Keadue International Harp Festival, Oireachtas, O’Carolan Harp Festival, and Granard Harp Festival along the way. While studying for a first-class honours university degree, she branched into jazz and contemporary music, studying and performing with Anthony Braxton, the legendary free jazz musician and composer. Since then she’s won a commission from the World Harp Congress, had one of her pieces published by Cairde na Cruite, and performed her own compositions in Ireland, Croatia, Canada and the U.S., and performed with Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin. Úna strives to mine the richness of her native tradition, explore the potential of her instrument, and respectfully engage with other genres… in short, to play music which makes you feel good.
37. Staic Dhiarmuidh Ui Dudha, air = Dermot O'Dowd, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
38. Catigh Ni Brian, air = Kitty O'Brian, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
39. A run fan agam is furrid go lo, air = My dear stay with me, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
40. A bhean dubh run dileas dubh, air = The dear black maid, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
41. Deoleoghadh Maire lum, air = Mary do you fancy me?, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
42. Concerto Chearbhulan, air = Carolan's concerto, air / Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, harp
BUNTING TUNES 43 – 45 / DIANNE MARSHALL, HARP
Dianne Marshall was born in Portlaoise, Co Laois, in 1978. She spent many years at the Royal Irish Academy of music, studying both Harp and Piano. Dianne then won a music scholarship at Oakham School in Rutland, England where she studied for a number of years before being accepted into the London Royal Academy of Music, which she entered as a student under the tutorship of Professor Daphne Boden.
Since returning to Ireland Dianne has worked as a freelance musician playing both Irish Harp and Concert Harp. Dianne regularly works with the Ulster Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ. Concert Orchestra. As well as the three main professional Orchestras in Ireland Dianne has also worked with many other companies including the Wexford Opera festival and European Opera Company for a number of years.
Dianne has also given solo recitals as well as playing duets and Chamber music with a range of different musicians throughout Ireland.
43. A Rois bheg mhomhar, air = The little harvest rose, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
44. Maligh Ni Mac Alpuin, air = Molly Macalpin, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
45. Abghil Ni Breitmuin, air = Abigail Judge, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
BUNTING TUNES 46 – 54 / TRÍONA MARSHALL, HARP
Born in Portlaoise, Triona Marshall began her studies of the harp in the Royal Irish Academy of Dublin. She continued her studies in the Konninglijk Conservatorium in Den Haag with Edward Witsenburg for 4 years followed by 2 years in The Royal College of Music in London with Daphne Boden.
After her studies Triona became principal harpist with the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin, a position she held for 5 years before changing musical direction and embarking on a career exclusively on the Irish harp.
She joined the Chieftains in 2002 and has toured with them and other artists worldwide for 18 years.
46. Plangstigh Reilligh, air = Planxty Reilly, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
47. Moll Dubh an nglanne, air = Maid of the valley, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
48. Bfear liom no Eire, air = I would rather than Ireland, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
49. Seonin O Reilligh fear gasda, air = John O'Reilly the active, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
50. Is iombo eru, air = An Irish lullaby, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
51. Oganaigh oig, air = The blossom of the rasberry, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
54. Calin deas seruidadh na mbo, air = The pretty girl milking the cows, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
52. Margnaigh Eoin Ui Neil, air = The lamentation of Owen O'Neil, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
53. Anna Ni Diarmuda Ruaidh, air = Nanny McDermotroe, air / Tríona Marshall, harp
BUNTING TUNES 55 – 60 / CLAIRE O'DONNELL, HARP
Claire is one of Ireland's foremost musicians, playing both Classical Concert and Irish Traditional Harp. With an early passion for harp, she began to learn at the age of eight in The Royal Irish Academy of music Dublin and later in the Conservatoire National De Music Reims, France. She was the youngest performer at the Ninth World Harp Congress in Dublin in 2005 and was appointed principle harpist with The National Youth Orchestra in 2007.
55. Torilag Og Mac Donach, air = Young Terence McDonough, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
56. Isiobal Buircach, air = Isabella Burk, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
57. A bhfaca tu mo Bhalentine?, air = Have you seen my Valentine?, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
58. Plangstigh an Johnstonach, air = Planxty Johnston, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
59. Bob Isordan, air = Bob Jordan, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
60. Da mheadh spre ag a' gcat, air = If the cat had gold, air / Claire O'Donnell, harp
BUNTING TUNES 61 – 66 / DIANNE MARSHALL, HARP
Dianne Marshall was born in Portlaoise, Co Laois, in 1978. She spent many years at the Royal Irish Academy of music, studying both Harp and Piano. Dianne then won a music scholarship at Oakham School in Rutland, England where she studied for a number of years before being accepted into the London Royal Academy of Music, which she entered as a student under the tutorship of Professor Daphne Boden.
Since returning to Ireland Dianne has worked as a freelance musician playing both Irish Harp and Concert Harp. Dianne regularly works with the Ulster Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ. Concert Orchestra. As well as the three main professional Orchestras in Ireland Dianne has also worked with many other companies including the Wexford Opera festival and European Opera Company for a number of years.
Dianne has also given solo recitals as well as playing duets and Chamber music with a range of different musicians throughout Ireland.
61. Tugamar fein a' samhra lin, air = We brought the summer with us, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
62. Tomas O Buirc, air = Thomas O'Burke, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
63. Sig bag agus sig mor, air = The little and great mountain, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
64. Plangstigh MacIubhair, air = Planxty McGuire, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
65. Graine Nuisean, air = Grace Nugent, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
66. Plangstigh an Duilanac, air = Planxty Dillon, air / Dianne Marshall, harp
For more information on our commission partner Music Network visit their website.
For more information on artist Aideen Barry visit her website.
This project and blog was managed by Grace Toland, ITMA
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