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for Harp at Level 3

for Harp at Level 3

for Harp at Level 3

The Autumn Waltz was composed on August 14^th, 2002 for the composer’s aunt Marian Donaghy on the occasion of her 80^th birthday. 

for Harp at Level 3

The Deer’s Cry (St.Patrick’s Breastplate), was composed in 1978 as the composer’s personal way of praying the prayer which is fundamental to all Christians in the Celtic tradition.  From the moment of rising in the mornings, we are consiousness of Christ’s presence and in acknowledgement of the wonderful world around us, we seek strength of body and faith to live as He would guide us.

for Harp at Level 2

Síle was composed in 1988 for Sheila Campbell, an adult student and good friend who gave me invaluable support at a time when it was needed.  I hope I can repay some of this debt of gratitude with this dedication.

for Harp at Level 3

This was composed in 1986 for Dr Basil Wilson, Archaeologist and one of the board of directors of the Institute of Irish Studies in Queen’s University, Belfast where I spent two inspiring, happy and productive years as a Junior Fellow (1984-86).  I was a frequent visitor to Basil and wife Anna’s home for dinner and wonderful long evenings of debate on all aspects of Irish affairs.  His enthusiasm for and encouragement of my research (on the Bunting Manuscript Collection from the Belfast Harper’s Assembly in 1792) was enormous, and in the style of Carolan’s patrons, he commanded a tune in his honour from myself, his harper!  The day I had completed my charge and delightedly headed out to his home, was one of great sadness as he died minutes before I arrived.  The first performance of this piece was at his funeral at Roselawn Cemetry, Belfast in 1986.  A few weeks later, I came to live in Basil and Anna’s home for many months while we all grieved for this mighty intellect and big hearted man who lived life exceptionally well.

for Harp at Level 4

Leap of Faith was composed in 2002 when the composer decided to move home to the Republic of Ireland after 18 years of working and living in Belfast.  Her new life in Castleconnell in county Limerick represented a leap of faith – a new beginning for her harp orchestra movement in the southern province – but one bringing her back to family roots.  In Castleconnell, Janet has established the Irish Harp Centre and Irish Harp College from which her work continues to flourish. 

Leap of Faith is a set of two slip jigs, the first of which is the old traditional slip jig ‘The Whinney Hills of Lietrim’ and the second evolved from the opening notes of the old – with a leaping melodic figure in the second part.

Also available as a pdf download.

for Harp at Level 4

Yellow man is a sticky yellow honeycomb sweet made traditionally by the women of Ballycastle, County Antrim on the extreme north coast of Ireland for their great annual Lammas Fair Day.  It would be made in great slabs which are then broken up with hammers and packed into little paper bags for the children to eat.  It was a great treat!

This piece was inspired by the children’s song in praise of Yellow Man – its melody appears in the first bars.  Then it gets some of the frisky Harbison treatment.  The piece was first performed in a concert at the Manchester Arts Festival in about 1984 given by “Celtic Strings” – a first and regrettably the only concert of the 4 great friends: Janet with Patsy Seddon, Mary McMaster (Scotland) and Kristen Nogues (Brittany). 

for Harp at Level 4

On 11th November, 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland. She is a barrister and former Professor of Law. Born in the early 1950s in Belfast, she is the first Irish President to come from Northern Ireland and with her background of growing up in Belfast during the violent times that have come to be known as ‘The Troubles’, she had very particular experience and talent that has marked this period in Irish history with a special charisma, intellect, humanity and statesmanship.  She is particularly admired for her role in building bridges across the community divide and is a much admired hero of Irish women worldwide.  We first became acquainted in 1987, shortly after Mary was appointed Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University where I was a research fellow in the Institute of Irish Studies.  During a conference sometime that year, the two of us had escaped a rather boring presentation to the same bit of garden where we engaged in our own debate and exchange of academic interests, stories and ideals. I was delighted when in 1994, she became the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast, but never so much as when she was appointed President of the Republic of Ireland in 1997.  I was particularly privileged when I accompanied her officially on her state visit to China to perform at the state occasions and give recitals and masterclasses at the Conservatoires of Shanghai and Beiging.  This visit was the first of any western Statesperson to that mysterious and intriguing country.

This piece was composed as a personal tribute to Ireland’s first lady and performed for her at the Glencolmcille Harp Summerschool in the late 1990s.  Now in her second term of office, she is still a much admired icon of Ireland and long may she enjoy her reign as one of Ireland’s most beloved leaders.

for  Harp at Level 4

Love’s Torment (or as it was originally titled ‘Love’s Comfort’) was composed by Janet Harbison (born Dublin, 1955) as a newly wed a long way from home in the early 1990s.