Carolan tunes arranged for harp and one or two melody instruments. Full and interesting harp accompaniments that support the melody instruments, making these great for performing. This unique collection is arranged in period style with the harmonies, ornaments and variations as they might have been played in Dublin taverns and Irish country houses around 1800. The original 1796 version of Carolan?s Concerto is included in both solo harp versions as well as concerto form. The range of pieces include ancient modal harp airs (Bridget Cruise, First Air) to the elegant High Baroque (Mrs. Judge) to lively planxties as jigs and hornpipes (Planxty George Brabazons). The arrangements can be heard on Ensemble Musica Humana?s CD: Turlough O?Carolan- A Life in Song, performed on flute, whistle, recorder, uilleann pipes and harp. Flute and recorder parts are by EMH performers Lidia Chang and Laura Osterlund.

Harp & Flute, Recorder or Whistle: Carolan?s Concerto, Planxty Burke, Dr. John Stafford (Carolan?s Receipt), Planxty O?Rourke, Bridget Cruise, First Air, Sheebeg and Sheemore, Mrs. Judge, Eleanor Plunkett, Bridget Cruise, Third Air, Fanny Power

Flute & Whistle Duo: George Brabazon First & Second Airs,

Harp Solos: Hewlett (?Hulets Health? from Bunting, 1809), Carolan?s Concerto (from Bunting, 1796)

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Ellsworth ("El") McMeen has done over 220 solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements and compositions in the last 30 years. He has numerous recordings, books,
and DVD lessons and has concertized throughout the United States.

Of his work, he has selected for this voluminous book
60 pieces with his favorite melodies. (Among them is an instrumental
he composed for his wife, called "Song for Sheila.")

The music is diverse in genre and mood, but each piece is compelling in its own way.
Included are folk tunes, a classical piece, hymns, a patriotic song,
ancient Celtic harp music, lullabies, El's favorite Christmas song
("In the Bleak Midwinter"), El's favorite Irish jig ("The Kid on the Mountain"),
laments, love songs, and Irish airs.

El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists.
https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Several of his recordings are referenced here:
https://elmcmeen.bandcamp.com/

The audio sampler contains all or part of the following selections, in the CGDGAD tuning
except as otherwise indicated. (When El has recorded some of this music, he has used a capo,
usually at fret II or IV, for tonal atmosphere.)

1. America the Beautiful
2. Be Still, My Soul
3. Be Thou My Vision
4. Carolan's Concerto
5. Carolan's No. 179
6. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
7. Give Me Your Hand
8. Hector the Hero
9. In the Bleak Midwinter
10. Jerusalem (Drop D)
11. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
12. Kid on the Mountain
13. My Mary of the Curling Hair
14. Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife
15. Rose of Allendale
16. Song for Sheila