Harp and Traditional music by Celtic Muse	Wind and Wood  A Sylvan Dance

Celtic Muse - Music to gentle the spirit and gladden the heart. Celtic Muse serendipitously came into being at a Renaissance theme wedding in 1995. Since that time, Jennifer and Valerie have carried their love of harp and traditional music out into the world, like small ripplets ever broadening to span a limitless pond. Wind and Wood is their first collaborative recording. Valerie Klemetti Blessley's love of playing music began with learning the flute as a child. She has studied the harp with David Harper, in Albuquerque, NM and Marion Fouse in Portland, OR. She currently plays harp, flute, recorder, pennywhistle, and kantele. A degreed visual artist, Valerie assists in making harps when she's not playing them. She has also published a book of harp music entitled, Songs I Can Play.   www.pacifier.com/~blesses/ Jennifer Pratt-Walter communicates her deep love of her instrument and music with her hands, searching to define and transcend human experience. She has played harp for fifteen years, and is and avid music arranger. Jennifer also plays recorders, and is exploring composing. 1998 brought her debut solo harp release, Ancient Realms, a magical journey to times of old. Ancient Realms is also available through Soundtracks. This recording is the product of the work, help and sacrifices of many people in our lives. Heartfelt thanks to our husbands, Craig Walter and Mark Blessley (our harp builder), to our families for their unfailing support and faith in us, and to the fine harpers who generously shared their music.

Sound bites
1. Planxty George Brabazon	MPEG 3 (129k)	Real Audio (129k)
2. Arran Boat Song	MPEG 3 (102k)	Real Audio (102k)
3. The Kilbarchan Weaver	MPEG 3 (100k)	Real Audio (100k)
4. Scarborough Fail	MPEG 3 (92k)	Real Audio (93k)
5. Sumer Is Icumen In	MPEG 3 (123k)	Real Audio (124k)
6. Babers' Waltz	MPEG 3 (118k)	Real Audio (118k)
7. Wind and Wood - A Sylvan Dance	MPEG 3 (102k)	Real Audio (103k)
8. Man From Dunmoore & Brian Boru	MPEG 3 (116k)	Real Audio (116k)
9. The Delightful Spring Day	MPEG 3 (117k)	Real Audio (117k)
10. The Water is Wide	MPEG 3 (130k)	Real Audio (131k)
11. The Flowers of Edinburgh	MPEG 3 (135k)	Real Audio (136k)
12. Fear A' Bhata	MPEG 3 (106k)	Real Audio (106k)
13. March of King Laois	MPEG 3 (109k)	Real Audio (110k)
14. She Moved Through the Fair	MPEG 3 (131k)	Real Audio (132k)
15. Butterfly Jig	MPEG 3 (131k)	Real Audio (132k)
To play these sounds bites, you must have the Real Audio player or a MPEG 3 player. You can get the Real Audio player at http://www.real.com. You can get a great MPEG 3 player at http://www.winamp.com. Also, you can check out http://www.mpeg.org for other MPEG players and information on MPEG.

Buy the CD

You can obtain Wind and Wood - A Sylvan Dance at Soundtracks. Also see other harp CDs:   Merry & Bright - Harp for the Holidays, by Celtic Muse.   Ancient Realms, by Jennifer Pratt-Walter.

Details

Wind and Wood Instrumentation - Jennfer - harp1, soprano recorder2, alto recorder3. Valerie - harp4, flute5, soprano recorder6 and kantele7. Planxty George Brabazon (Turlock O'Carolan, 1670-1738, arr. S. Woods, harp 1 & S. Richards harp 2)4,1 The reknowed Irish harper, O'Carolan, composed two songs of tribute for patron George. This is the second tune of the two. In Scotland it is know as "Twa Bonnie Maidens". Arran Boat Song (Scotland, harp arr. J. Pratt-Walter, flute descant V. K. Blessley)1,6 This haunting melody suggest both yearning and hope, as felt by the wives of brave fishermen when their menfolk set out over the fierce, frigid waters surrounding the Isle of Arran. The Kilbarchan Weaver (A. Kinnaird written for Music In Trust) 4,1 Feel the strong rhythm in this song written to accompany the movement of the loom from the weaver's cottage in Kilbarchan, in celebration of the way of life in 18th century Scotland. Scarborough Fair (England, Child Ballad #2, harp arr. J. Pratt-Walter)1,5 This ballad lists a timeless set of impossible requests to prove one's love. Sumer Is Icumen In (England)1,6 Sing Cuckoo! Also known as the "Summer Canon", this lively tune rejoices in the return of life to the woods and meadows of 13th century England. Sung as a round, the melody and text are rare and earthy examples of secular song from that period. Babers' Waltz (© V.K. Blessley, BMI, 1997, variations by J. Pratt-Walter, performed by Valerie)4 Once in a lifetime, if we're lucky, we meet someone who makes us complete. This piece was written as a thank you to my husband, Dr. Mark J. Blessley, when he honored me by making my imcomparable harp (pictured on the front). Babers, you make my heart smile. Remember, when I play, I play for you. Love always and all ways, Val Wind and Wood - A Sylvan Dance (© J. Pratt-Walter, BMI, 1998, harp arr. V.K. Blessley)2,4,5,7 Deep in a woodland glade, ancient tree invoke the spirits of Air, "Come, we call you!" Zephyrs, dryads and sylphs rise in a graceful whirl, joining with leaves and brances in a magical dance. The voices of recorder, harp, flute and kantele perfectly depict this celebratory meeting, spiraling together out into the ether. Man From Dunmoore & Brian Boru (Ireland, arr. I. Zaerr & J. Pratt-Walter, based on an arrangement by S. Woods, flute descant V.K. Blessley)4,1,5 Brian Boru, often played as a march, tells a descriptive musical tale of the legendary Irish king and his battle with marauding Vikings in 1014. The brave Irish carry the battle until the Danes kill the king during the night and retreat over the sea. The Man from Dunmoore flows easily into this tune. The Delightful Spring Day (Reuben Correa - accomp. J. Pratt-Walter)4,1 Feel the tender blessing of springtime with this charming aire. The Water is Wide (American folk tune, arr. J. Pratt-Walter, performed by Jennifer)1 Known in England as "O Waly, Waly", the American lyrics of this poignant tune depict the longing for a loved one who is far away over the sea. The Flowers of Edinburgh (Scotland, arr. M. Fouse, recorder descant J. Pratt-Walter)4,2 Dance this flirtatious Scottish reel, and you may capture your partners hand and heart! Fear A' Bhata (Scotland, harp arr. by J. Pratt-Walter)1,5 A cry that is never answered, sails that are never again seen returning from the wild sears -- a Scottish lass waist hopelessly by the cliffs for her sailor. March of King Laois (Ireland, based on an arrangement by K. Robertson)1,5 With dignity befitting a king, this stately march depicts Ireland's King Laois. She Moved Through the Fair (Ireland, harp arr J. Pratt-Walter, flute descant V.K. Blessley)1,5 The mysterious beauty of this song pierces the soul. The text describes a woeful tale of nuptial plans torn asunder by the disappearance of the girl at the local fair. In the end, her ghost assures her beloved that "It will not be long, Love, 'til our wedding day." Butterfly Jig (Ireland, harp arr. by J. Pratt-Walter)1,5 Visualize a yellow butterfly darting merrily over the fields and flowers, then fluttering out of sight, to the tune of this traditional Irish slip-jig. Celtic Muse gratefully thanks Burke and Ronn of Soundtracks for their expertise, and Harper Tasche for his sage advice. Lyrica and Songbird harps by Dr. Mark J. Blessley of Blessley Instruments, Vancouver, WA, USA. Graphic design by Valerie K. Blessley. Liner text by Jennifer Pratt-Walter. Photos by Valerie K. Blessley and Michelle Balkenhol. We welcome email comments. Jennifer: Lyrica@prodigy.net   duim.com/jennifer Valerie: blesses@pacifier.com   www.pacifier.com/~blesses Jennifer's performance is dedicated to the Muse in its many guises. Valerie's performance is dedicated to her mother, Vivian Klemetti, who raised her in a home filled with music. Recorded, edited and mastered at Soundtracs, Battleground, WA, USA. Produced by Burke Harris; recorded and mastered by Ronn Chick. All arrangements © 1998 by Celtic Muse except where noted. All rights reserved.

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