Two Worlds of the Welsh Harp

Robert Ap Huw (Composer), Edward [composer/organ] Jones (Composer), William Taylor (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: William Taylor
• Composer: Robert Ap Huw, Edward [composer/organ] Jones
• Audio CD (June 15, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dorian Recordings
• ASIN: B00000JC82
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #252,975 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Galic Music*, April 11, 2005

By	Frank Timoney (New York,NY) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly unique!, August 20, 2002

By A Customer

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!

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible demonstration of the Welsh harp by Bill Taylor, February 20, 2001

By	T. Brisbin "Terri Brisbin" (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.