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| Composer : | Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) | ||
| Instrumentation : | Flute, Oboe, Harp | ||
| Style : | Celtic | ||
| Arranger : | MAGATAGAN, MICHAEL (1960 - ) | ||
| Publisher : | MAGATAGAN, MICHAEL | ||
| Copyright : | Public Domain | ||
| Added by magataganm, 26 Oct 2013 Turlough O'Carolan (1670–1738) was a blind early Irish harper, composer and singer whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition. He was the last great Irish harper-composer and is considered by many to be Ireland's national composer. Harpers in the old Irish tradition were still living as late as 1792, as ten, including Arthur O'Neill, Patrick Quin and Donnchadh Ó Hámsaigh, showed up at the Belfast Harp Festival, but there is no proof of any of these being composers. Ó Hámsaigh did play some of Carolan's music but disliked it for being too modern. Some of O'Carolan's own compositions show influence from the style of continental classical music, whereas others such as Carolan's Farewell to Music reflect a much older style of "Gaelic Harping". Though the harp is by no means peculiar to Ireland, it has been regarded from early mediaeval times as supremely the musical instrument of the Irish. But %T much of the music of the harpers is lost in the mists of antiquity. Carolan (1670-1738) was the last of the Irish harper-composers and the only one whose pieces have survived in any number. About two hundred of his pieces are extant, but they are found scattered in manuscripts and in rare (sometimes unique) printed books, often being unidentified as his. They are now gathered together here in a definitive edition. Carolan was blinded by smallpox in early youth and adopted music as a career. His genius for making melody manifested itself almost at once, and for nearly fifty years he travelled the Irish countryside, staying at the great houses and entertaining the company with his playing and singing. The great majority of his pieces were composed in honour of his patrons and in most cases he devised verses to fit the music. He was also a familiar figure in Dublin. Princess Royal was possibly composed for Mrs. Mary O'Rourke (also the subject of Mrs. O'Rourke). She was the eldest daughter of MacDermott, Prince of Coolavin. Another possible subject of the tune is Elizabeth MacDermott Roe (the subject of another tune - specifically named for her). The tune is widely known partially because Shield set the tune to the words The Arethusa to it at the end of the 18th century. The Arethusa appeared in a small opera "The Lock and Key" in 1796. The words describe an encounter between two ships, the Arethusa and La Belle Poule, in the English Channel, June 17, 1778. English Lyrics: On deck five hundred men did dance, The stoutest they could find in France On board of the Arethusa Our captain hailed the Frenchman, "Ho!' The Frenchman then creid out, 'Hallo!' 'Bear down, d'ye see, to our Admiral's lee' 'No, no,' says the Frenchman, 'that can't be.' 'Then I must lug you along with me,' Says the saucy Arethusa. Although this work was originally written for Folk Instruments, I created this arrangement for Flute, Oboe & Concert (Pedal) Harp. | |||
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