I’m embarking on an article for a harmonica periodical (you there smirking - go to the back of the class! ) about how variation can be employed on the blues harp in Irish tunes. Carolan’s Concerto is ~ahem~ one of my party pieces which I sometimes play unencumbered (unprotected!) by accompaniment, so I thought it would be a prime candidate for discussion. The problem is that I don’t know which, if any, of all the versions I’ve seen in print or heard played comes anywhere near the “original.” I haven’t found the internet to be much help here, unless I’m looking in the wrong place. If anyone thinks they can direct me to either a recorded performance or a printed version (notation) that is regarded as being close to Carolan’s original conception of the tune, in the sense more of the notes to be played rather than of the “spirit” of the piece, I’d be grateful. Or just put me right if I’m being unrealistic here!
I am not sure he recorded this piece, I don’t think so, but I have heard Paul Dooley play Carolan music on the wirestrung harp and, not being generally a fan of Carolan tunes, it was a revelation. The sound of the wirestrung harp, gave more an idea of what the music was supposed to sound like than any plodding Chieftains version could.
I have heard other harpers play Carolan but none really compared to what Paul was doing.
There’s a fellow named Patrick Ball who plays the old harp style. I enjoyed his version of She Begs for More pretty good. Played it faster than most but it really made sense to hear it that way.
Now come on, you naughty people - I need a sensible reply! (That’s torn it, saying that I suppose…). But there’s a guy in our session who, when he says “let’s play the Taliban…” means “The Tarbolton…”
That’s exactly the approach I’m taking. In the true spirit of the tradition, I prefer to talk about adaptations and personal preferences, within that spirit, rather than about compromises. I was just interested in tracking down an early source of the tune to inform my account of its background. Thanks for the other leads - I shall be following them up.
Thanks Mick. I found a version at http://www.irishpage.com/songs/carolan/concnote.htm that I think was purloined from said book. I think that’ll be the one I keep coming back to. I think the version I play was derived from various sources, including a version by Cathal O’Connell on the whistle, but it isn’t too far removed from the O’Sullivan one.
) about how variation can be employed on the blues harp in Irish tunes. Carolan’s Concerto is ~ahem~ one of my party pieces which I sometimes play unencumbered (unprotected!) by accompaniment, so I thought it would be a prime candidate for discussion. The problem is that I don’t know which, if any, of all the versions I’ve seen in print or heard played comes anywhere near the “original.” I haven’t found the internet to be much help here, unless I’m looking in the wrong place. If anyone thinks they can direct me to either a recorded performance or a printed version (notation) that is regarded as being close to Carolan’s original conception of the tune, in the sense more of the notes to be played rather than of the “spirit” of the piece, I’d be grateful. Or just put me right if I’m being unrealistic here!