Podcasts about 39carolan

In my excitement in finding another great resource to learn Turlough O'Carolan tunes, I've begun with two from the book and CD compilation by Art Edelstein called Fair Melodies. Both tunes were written in honor of O'Carolan's "patrons", the people who supported him as he traveled through Ireland in the late 1600's and 1700's earning a living as a blind harper. Both tunes are played clawhammer style on a cello banjo.

In my excitement in finding another great resource to learn Turlough O'Carolan tunes, I've begun with two from the book and CD compilation by Art Edelstein called Fair Melodies. Both tunes were written in honor of O'Carolan's "patrons", the people who supported him as he traveled through Ireland in the late 1600's and 1700's earning a living as a blind harper. Both tunes are played clawhammer style on a cello banjo.

The immense home of the MacDermott Roe family was Turlough O'Carolan's favorite place. It's where he returned after traveling as a blind Irish harpist and bard to pass his final days in 1738. Henry was the son of these patrons and a friend to O'Carolan, but he failed to live his life completely honorable and almost lost the blessings of his mother. However, all became well again and O'Carolan composed many of his songs in honor of the MacDermott Roe's. You can hear this story in the three settings -- first a happy life with the MacDermott Roes, then the shame of Henry's foibles in whom he married and how he squandered the family wealth, and at last the happy ending of forgiving and enjoying life. Of course, life isn't summarized so simply, but it helps to use one's imagination.

The immense home of the MacDermott Roe family was Turlough O'Carolan's favorite place. It's where he returned after traveling as a blind Irish harpist and bard to pass his final days in 1738. Henry was the son of these patrons and a friend to O'Carolan, but he failed to live his life completely honorable and almost lost the blessings of his mother. However, all became well again and O'Carolan composed many of his songs in honor of the MacDermott Roe's. You can hear this story in the three settings -- first a happy life with the MacDermott Roes, then the shame of Henry's foibles in whom he married and how he squandered the family wealth, and at last the happy ending of forgiving and enjoying life. Of course, life isn't summarized so simply, but it helps to use one's imagination.

The O'Reilly's of 17th century Ireland were amongst Turlough O'Carolan's supportive patrons as the blind harpist traveled far and wide. When O'Carolan wrote a tune in their honor it was given the label "planxty." Unable to play for several weeks due to my broken shoulder, I offer something recorded previously on my clawhammer banjo.

The O'Reilly's of 17th century Ireland were amongst Turlough O'Carolan's supportive patrons as the blind harpist traveled far and wide. When O'Carolan wrote a tune in their honor it was given the label "planxty." Unable to play for several weeks due to my broken shoulder, I offer something recorded previously on my clawhammer banjo.

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

This tune in 3/4 time is a rare find from Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738). It's only found in one source dated in the early 1900's from Chief Francis O'Neill who had procured a rare notebook of old Irish tunes. The melody and title didn't sync well until I made a slide-show video (in the BHO archive) of people happy with tears. As several of my O'Carolan pieces, I've added cello banjo in the background.

This tune in 3/4 time is a rare find from Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738). It's only found in one source dated in the early 1900's from Chief Francis O'Neill who had procured a rare notebook of old Irish tunes. The melody and title didn't sync well until I made a slide-show video (in the BHO archive) of people happy with tears. As several of my O'Carolan pieces, I've added cello banjo in the background.

Here's a clawhammered planxty from Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) in 6/8 jig time with cello banjo accompaniment.

Here's a clawhammered planxty from Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) in 6/8 jig time with cello banjo accompaniment.

A planxty written to honor the head of an important Irish clan. The O'Connors were generous hosts of O'Carolan many a-time. A boyhood friend of O'Carolan's was also an O'Connor named Dennis. They would have known each other as neighbors before O'Carolan's blindness at age 18.

A planxty written to honor the head of an important Irish clan. The O'Connors were generous hosts of O'Carolan many a-time. A boyhood friend of O'Carolan's was also an O'Connor named Dennis. They would have known each other as neighbors before O'Carolan's blindness at age 18.

This tune of O'Carolan's has a classical, ethereal sound. I dedicate it to Laurence Diehl, friend of O'Carolan's music and inspiring to all us little folk.

This tune of O'Carolan's has a classical, ethereal sound. I dedicate it to Laurence Diehl, friend of O'Carolan's music and inspiring to all us little folk.

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of two Turlough O'Carolan tunes - Sheebeg and Sheemore, Planxty Irwin. Recorded using the Romero strung with steel strings. Tuning: eCGCD, capo 5th fret. Arrangement and performance copyright 2014 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of two Turlough O'Carolan tunes - Sheebeg and Sheemore, Planxty Irwin. Recorded using the Romero strung with steel strings. Tuning: eCGCD, capo 5th fret. Arrangement and performance copyright 2014 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of two Turlough O'Carolan tunes - Sheebeg and Sheemore, Planxty Irwin. Recorded using the Romero strung with steel strings. Tuning: eCGCD, capo 5th fret. Arrangement and performance copyright 2014 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of two Turlough O'Carolan tunes - Sheebeg and Sheemore, Planxty Irwin. Recorded using the Romero strung with steel strings. Tuning: eCGCD, capo 5th fret. Arrangement and performance copyright 2014 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of two Turlough O'Carolan tunes - Sheebeg and Sheemore, Planxty Irwin. Recorded using the Romero strung with steel strings. Tuning: eCGCD, capo 5th fret. Arrangement and performance copyright 2014 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

A rather rough recording of O'Carolan's Concerto (Ken Perlman arrangement) complete with mistakes and incompetence!

An Irish waltz included in the early 1800's harp collections of Edward Bunting, who also collected many of O'Carolan's pieces.

An Irish waltz included in the early 1800's harp collections of Edward Bunting, who also collected many of O'Carolan's pieces.