Customer Reviews

Two Worlds of the Welsh Harp

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British Library Ms Add.14905-Robert ap Huw (son of Hugh) Ms (1613), the 24 Measures of cerdd dant.
These 24 measures, studied by Welsh harpers, seem to be closely related to the Gaelic harp tradition of medieval Ireland and Scotland. Indeed some of the measures are today found in the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe or Piobaireachd (pibroch) and some of the melodies played by Bill Taylor do indeed resemble Piobaireachd. It has long been felt that this ancient form of pipe music may have emanated from harp music. It is indeed fortunate that the Scottish Highland Bagpipe has preserved these elements of ancient Gaelic music for us. Consequently, the music on the Two Worlds of The Welsh Harp is anything but weird, foreign or long forgotten as mentioned by earlier reviewers!
A word about the ms. itself, it is actually a music book and into it, Robert ap Haw copied his teacher's tunes or settings of tunes. He certainly was not the composer as indicated in "product details", page 2 of 6. His tunes are perhaps centuries older than his instructor.



British Library Ms Add.14905-Robert ap Huw (son of Hugh) Ms (1613), the 24 Measures of cerdd dant.
These 24 measures, studied by Welsh harpers, seem to be closely related to the Gaelic harp tradition of medieval Ireland and Scotland. Indeed some of the measures are today found in the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe or Piobaireachd (pibroch) and some of the melodies played by Bill Taylor do indeed resemble Piobaireachd. It has long been felt that this ancient form of pipe music may have emanated from harp music. It is indeed fortunate that the Scottish Highland Bagpipe has preserved these elements of ancient Gaelic music for us. Consequently, the music on the Two Worlds of The Welsh Harp is anything but weird, foreign or long forgotten as mentioned by earlier reviewers!
A word about the ms. itself, it is actually a music book and into it, Robert ap Haw copied his teacher's tunes or settings of tunes. He certainly was not the composer as indicated in "product details", page 2 of 6. His tunes are perhaps centuries older than his instructor.

Being a student of harp for many years I was amazed to find a repertoire different from anything I had encountered before. It introduces listeners to a musical aesthetic long forgotten. Mr. Taylor has done a masterful job in presenting works from the Robert ap Huw MS. a work which has long challenged musicians and academicians alike. If you are interested in the harp this is a must-have. Masterful!

I purchased this CD while researching the Welsh harp in history for a book I'm writing. Mr. Taylor's ability to play the harp in its original form and to play music from the time period brings this lost instrument to life and gives listeners a taste of what the music would have sounded like in medieval/renaissance Wales.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for harp music with a historical touch.

I'll tell you the truth...I bought this CD because I like Carol Thompson's stuff on Dorian. It is NOTHING like Mrs. Thompson's stuff. Mr. Taylor has made a very unique recording. This disc sounds weird-but in a very good way. It sounds foriegn at first and then grows on you. I recommend this stunningly singular recording. Get it and be blown away.