Performer Name: Elinor Bennett

Show Name: LLAIS HEN DELYNAU / VOICE OF OLD HARPS

Show Description

THE VOICES OF OLD HARPS An opportunity to listen to wonderful music from the 18th and early 19th centuries played on two historic harps made in the period. The story starts with the Triple harp, which was developed in Italy during the Baroque period and was played at the Royal Court in London at the time of Handel. With three rows of strings, the triple harp was difficult to play, expensive to string, and was forgotten by harpists in other countries. Paradoxically, it was adopted by the old Welsh harpists, and became the instrument of ordinary people in Wales. The harp played in this programme was made by the famous Triple harp-maker, John Richard of Llanrwst, circa 1755. The old triple harp was replaced in most European countries during the late 18th century by new, beautifully decorated mechanical pedal harps from France and Germany, enabling harpists to transpose to many keys by changing the pitch of strings with their feet. The new harps became popular among fashionable and wealthy ladies of the upper classes in Europe. The most renowned maker was Sebastian Erard, who worked in the Court of doomed Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, before fleeing to London during the French Revolution and opening a workshop in Great Marlborough Street, where my harp was made in 1807. Programme includes music by Handel, Blind John Parry, Edward Jones (The King's Bard), Rosetti, Spohr and contemporaries. " Having played the modern concert harp professionally for many years, I would like to share the joy of playing music on authentic, original instruments, - discussing aspects of playing the two historic harps in my collection. I relied on the old harps - and music from their time - to guide me. It has been a labour of love and a revelation - as the sound and playing techniques are very different to the modern harp. I am grateful for the help that I have received from distinguished early music experts and try to follow their advice.

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I can provide a text for the spoken words .
No special requirements but good light on the two harps and music is necessary
Help of one able person to bring the two harps from the car - I have a trolley to transport them. Space of 5 metres x 5 metres if possible. Get=in time at least 75 minutes before start of show. light refreshment (tea, water....)
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Harpist - Elinor Bennett- has been at the forefront of music performance and education, and has travelled worldwide giving concerts, recitals and masterclasses. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London with the great harpist, Osian Ellis and went on to perform with major British orchestras and some of the world’s finest conductors and composers, including Benjamin Britten, Sir Colin Davis, André Previn. Among the composers who have dedicated music to her are Karl Jenkins. John Metcalf, Malcolm Williamson, Alun Hoddinott and Paul Mealor. Elinor was awarded a Churchill Scholarship to travel to Australia to study Music Therapy and was the driving force in establishing the William Mathias Music Centre in Caernarfon, and founded the Wales International Harp Festival. She has appeared as performer and jury member in harp festivals and competitions internationally, - in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Thailand and the United States. She was Director of Harp Studies at Bangor University for many years, and Visiting Professor of Harp at the Royal Academy of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music in London. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by the University of Wales. She has made many recordings, and appeared regularly on music programmes on radio and TV.