Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind Celtic
harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame
is due to his gift for melodic composition. Often
called “the last of the Irish Bards”, even though
there were traditional Irish harpers living as late as
1792. Carolan is considered a national treasure —
his compositions are still often played during a
session and are also highly regarded. Focusing on
Carolan’s works first will bring you high rewards as
a player. By the way, thou...(+)
Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind Celtic
harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame
is due to his gift for melodic composition. Often
called “the last of the Irish Bards”, even though
there were traditional Irish harpers living as late as
1792. Carolan is considered a national treasure —
his compositions are still often played during a
session and are also highly regarded. Focusing on
Carolan’s works first will bring you high rewards as
a player. By the way, though it is correct to say
“Turlough O’Carolan” when giving the full name,
when no first name is given one should simply refer to
him as “Carolan.”.
Although not a composer in the classical sense, Carolan
is considered by many to be Ireland's national
composer. Harpers in the old Irish tradition were still
living as late as 1792, and ten, including Arthur
O'Neill, Patrick Quin and Donnchadh Ó Hámsaigh,
attended the Belfast Harp Festival. Ó Hámsaigh did
play some of Carolan's music but disliked it for being
too modern. Some of Carolan's own compositions show
influences of the style of continental classical music,
whereas others such as Carolan's Farewell to Music
reflect a much older style of "Gaelic Harping".
O'Carolan composed this sprightly drinking song for
George Brabazon of New Park (later Brabazon Park),
County Mayo. Donal O’Sullivan (1958) says Brabazon
must have been a young man and a bachelor when
O’Carolan composed the air, while the harper himself
was near the end of his career. George Brabazon married
Sarah, daughter of Dominick Bourke of Clorough, County
Galway, and died in March, 1780. An ancestor, Sir
William Brabazon, was Lord Treasurer and Lord Chief
Justice of Ireland in the reign of Henry VIII. His
Planxty George Brabazon Reel is also known as George
Barbazon, George Brabazon, George Brabazon, 2nd Air,
George Brabizon, Second Air, Prince Charlie’s Welcome
To The Isle Of Skye, There Were Twa Bonnie Maidens, Twa
Bonnie Maids, Twa Bonny Maidens.
Source: Tune Archive
(https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:George_Brabazon_(
1)).
Although originally composed for Traditional Irish
Instruments, I created this interpretation of the
"Planxty George Brabazon" for Flute & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
Download the sheet music here:
https://musescore.com/user/13216/scores/5593195
PARTITION