Turlough Carolan[1] (Irish name Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin, 1670 - March 25, 1738) was a blind, itinerant early Irish harper, composer and singer whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition. He was the last great Irish harper-composer and is considered by many to be Ireland's national composer. Harpers in the old Irish tradition were still living as late as 1792, as ten, including Arthur O'Neill, Patrick Quin and Denis O'Hampsey, showed up at the Belfast Harp Festival, but there is no proof of any of these being composers. Some of Carolan's own compositions show influence from the style of continental classical music, whereas others such as Carolan's Farewell to Music reflect a much older style of 'Gaelic Harping'. Carolan was born near Nobber, County Meath, and moved with his family, probably when he was a teenager, to Ballyfarnan, County Roscommon, where his father took a job with the MacDermott Roe family. Mrs. MacDermott Roe gave him an education, and he showed talent in poetry. After being blinded by smallpox, perhaps at the age of eighteen, Carolan was taught the harp for three years. Then, being given a horse and a guide, he set out to travel Ireland and compose songs for patrons. For almost fifty years, Carolan journeyed from one end of the country to the other, composing and performing his tunes.
Carolan is buried in the village of Keadue, County Roscommon, where the annual O'Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School commemorates his life and work. (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
Source of the extract of the biography : Wikipedia
Interest : Skill level : Excellent publication of one
of O'Carolan's beautiful
pieces. Perfect for violin,
flute, tin-whistle. That is,
any single note instrument
that can reach the next octave
above middle C, or a harp with
"G" tuning (F).
Comment posted the 2011-01-01, by bridgetcruise (visitor)
Interest : Skill level : The sheet music for Beauty in
Tears by O Carolan. I guess
this is in D; I don't
understand why the F's and C's
are marked with sharps in the
body of the music, instead of
in the key signature, as is
usual.
Comment posted the 2010-07-23, by Deb Jankura (visitor)
Interest : Skill level : I play the flute and ukulele
and try to take the sheet
music from this site and adapt
it to these instruments- with
a little effort it comes out
not bad,
Comment posted the 2010-07-23, by Deb Jankura (visitor)
Interest : Skill level : I play the flute and ukulele
and try to take the sheet
music from this site and adapt
it to these instruments- with
a little effort it comes out
not bad,
Comment posted the 2010-04-19, by federica (visitor)
Interest : Skill level : this elegant arranged suite
for guitar, makes the listener
feel relaxed and in a prefect
harmony with the atmosphere
that the song creates.the
player ,giving his own
interpretation of the song can
adapt the harmony and the
melody to his particular
sensations and feelings.
Member account
Irlande
O'Carolan, Turlough : Planxty Irwin (Colonel John Irwin, Planxty Colonel Irwin)
O'Carolan, Turlough : Mr. O'Conner
