Customer Reviews

Three Harps for Christmas, Volume 1 - Tonmeister

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Just before Christmas last year, WCRB, the top classical musicstation in Boston played a selection from the Sylvia Woods "ThreeHarps for Christmas" CD. It was the most lovely thing I had heard in a long time....a lone harp, so pure and so angelic! I searched for this CD in stores locally, but no one carried the album; most had never even heard of it. It has taken me seven months to find it here on Amazon.com, but when I did, I immediately ordered both volumes. They are both splendid! I have listened to them over and over again since they arrived (and it's July!) The music is simply heavenly and seems to tumble so fluidly and unforgettably from her harp. It has all the magic and anticipation and joy of Christmas there within. It will be a forever favorite that I shall treasure for every Christmas to come.

I had almost the same experience as the first reviewer: heard this music on the classical radio station at christmas time some years ago (KXPR in Sacramento, CA), and had been searching for it ever since. It is surprising how beautiful these oft-heard melodies sound in this setting, and how strongly the spirit of christmas comes through them. A simply enchanting album.

Have enjoyed this cd for years and was thrilled to find it on Amazon to give to friends. The harp music is very relaxing and is perfect background music for Christmas.

Three Harps for Christmas played by: Sylvia Woods

If you are looking for a very pleasant, relaxing, and charming sound for Christmas, this is the CD you'll want to own. I've heard parts of this CD played on our local classical music radio station for the last three years and I located it here on Amazon.

Sylvia Woods is one of the leaders in the renaissance of folk and Celtic harp playing world-wide and she does a wonderful job on this CD, giving the listener a taste of the qualities and heritage of this remarkable instrument. There are three instruments that she plays on this CD. First is the nylon-string Neo-Celtic harp. It has 32 strings and provides a melodious basic texture for most of the carols. The second is a smaller Ancient Celtic harp strung with 25 phosphor bronze strings, which give the instrument a bell-like sound to its timbre. This is the harp that is similar to those played in Ireland throughout the eighteenth century. Both of the harps mentioned are diatonically tuned. To get a sharp for a note, you have to use the tuning levers adjacent to each string to raise the pitch.

The largest harp that is used on this CD and the rarest, is the three stringed or triple-strung harp, which has 83 stings and it originated in Italy. What is special about this harp is that it has two sets of diatonically tuned strings on the outside of a triple row of strings and the sharps and flats are played on the inner course. This harp is a delight to listen to, you feel light you are floating in the clouds as the music grabs your mind for a heavenly trip over the melodious sounds emanating from these beautiful sounding instruments.

The songs on this CD are played in pairs or triplets and are beautifully arranged making for angelic sounds that relax your mind. This is truly a peaceful, charming and relaxing music that is just right to set a Christmas theme of relaxation at home for the holidays. This CD has a SPARS Code: AAD but playing this on a Blu-ray will bring out the true musicianship of Ms. Woods' ability.

You will not be disappointed as this is a quality recording to have for the Christmas Season. Anyone wanting some excellent music for the holiday season, this is one CD that you just can't miss.

In the time of holiday hustle and bustle, it's nice to have some calming music that will relax you. Merry Christmas