Celtic music

Cynthia Cathcart:Playing the Unique Sound of the Clàrsach

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Cynthia Cathcart takes us on a journey through the mystical sound of the  Clàrsach.

The Clàrsach is different from the regular Classical harp in a sense that it has  smaller size  and creates a unique sound. It has that distinctive perky and almost sharp edge when played by the fingernails. It is a tone color that resembles the harpsichord yet has the nuance of the piano. It creates a visual imagery that calls to mind tiny silver coins being tossed inside an empty well. Resonant but light..always brilliant and ancient.

Cynthia Cathcart  mastered this instrument by herself. It was  accident that brought this  into her hands. She taught herself how to play  and passion made her do research on the techniques as well as the musical repertoire for this instrument. Her classical training in the field of  piano and organ made her apply the discipline to the Clàrsach yet never losing that folk honesty that is always present in Celtic music.

She teaches  and has released two recordings. Learn more about her, the instrument and samples from her website : http://www.cynthiacathcart.net

You can purchase the CDs here: http://www.cynthiacathcart.net/cds.html

Cynthia Cathcart is an award winning performer and instructor on the clarsach, the wire-strung harp of Ireland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The brilliant revival of this ancient instrument is in part due to the uniquely bell-like resonance of brass, silver and gold harp strings, producing a sound unlike any other harp.

Cynthia strives to bring the joy of making music on these precious strings to anyone who is drawn to their sound. She offers private lessons in her studio near Washington DC, and also attends various events throughout the year to give workshops, presentations and concerts.

As well as helping students, Cynthia’s books, articles and recordings will delight lovers of this strange, special music.

conundrumproductions.com

Echoes: Whispering Grass by Sandy Denny

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Whispering Grass is taken from the album Like an Old-Fashioned  Waltz which I don’t ever get tired listening.  

She was the voice  describe by  Judy Collins as ‘like golden silver’. I ‘discovered’ her music late. I think it was Mary Fahl  the former singer of October Project who cite her as a primary vocal influence. Beautiful voices are hard to find these days unless you are into Celtic music. Most  of the time, those who get mainstream recognition are singers that have either ugly voices but with good looks or just those that can’t carry a tune but have to rely on auto tune. Bring the beautiful voices back!

http://sandydenny.org.uk/

 

Kitus:Folk / World / Celtic

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Something to make you boogie with your kilt!

Kitus are a French group  based in Lyon France composed of  Yannick Guyader (diatonic accordion), Sylvain Vuidart (flute, wood and metal), Luke Roche (violin) and Fabien Guiloineau (acoustic guitar, bouzouki).  They play a brand of jazz influenced Celtic music combined with waltzes, mazurkas and even Latin rhythms. The album called “Après l’After” was released in 2009. One of their notable performances was in Gannat Cabaret Festival in 2011. They are on tour and you can check the details through their reverbnation page : http://www.reverbnation.com/kitus and details for purchasing the CD are found in their official website where you can also listen to the  tracks for free.

 

Rachel Hair Trio: Harp Music That Shakes You!

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Attention: Hypnotic Harp Music Ahead!

Have you heard of a harp music that makes tap your feet the way you do with a bodhran? If not then I recommend you listen to Rachel Hair. Her style  is exciting and the vibrancy of her music rubs on you like expensive perfume-it lasts.

She is aware that the soul of Celtic music is not just playing with speed and ease. It is also about atmosphere. It is perfected  in the track Cancro Cru where the melody pulls you inside. I think the voice layering is artfully crafted. Jenn has the voice of an angel. The varied artistry of the tracks are also due to the contribution of band members Jenn Butterworth alongside top Scottish double bassist Euan Burton. To know more about her, simply read this very detailed interview made by Arperia: http://arperia.com/2012/05/07/interview-with-rachel-hair-english-version/

Listen and explore :http://www.rachelhair.com/

Mademoiselle Nolwenn Leroy: Seriously Breton

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From reality show to being an ambassador of Breton music to the world.

Being typecast is every artist’s worst fear.  This must have been a struggle for French singer songwriter Nolwenn Leroy after bagging the first place in the French reality show Star Academy. I think that show holds the same prestige as Big Brother and American Idol. I don’t know about other shows in the UK because I am not a fan of these shows. But then again there is this polarity that is common between serious  music lovers and the pop audience who go for Hollywood glamour. I think Nolwenn got all the flack for appearing in that show where contestants are said to stay inside a castle.

Picture courtesy of: mademoiselle-nolwenn.fr

In 2010 Nolwenn traced her Breton roots. She was born in Saint-Renan, Finistère, Brittany . Her parents left the place when she was only four. But every one with a Celtic blood will eventually gravitate to music. When Leroy was eleven, her music teacher noticed her musical talents and encouraged her to learn the violin. This lead to he winning musical contests and finally albums.

Right now she is an ambassador of Breton music to the rest of France and to the world. Stretching out of  pop music which she started and creating a timeless Celtic recording Bretonne in 2010, she broke boundaries and gained huge following both from mainstream listeners and  hardcore Celtic music lovers .

My special thanks to Tim for making me curious about the picture of Nolwenn with a violin..that curiosity eventually lead to this article. Visit her official website : http://www.nolwenn.org/

Papillons de Nuit! Photo ©@papillonsdenuit