Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind Celtic
harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame
is due to his gift for melodic composition. Often
called “the last of the Irish Bards”, even though
there were traditional Irish harpers living as late as
1792. Carolan is considered a national treasure —
his compositions are still often played during a
session and are also highly regarded. Focusing on
Carolan’s works first will bring you high rewards as
a player. By the way, thou...(+)
Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind Celtic
harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame
is due to his gift for melodic composition. Often
called “the last of the Irish Bards”, even though
there were traditional Irish harpers living as late as
1792. Carolan is considered a national treasure —
his compositions are still often played during a
session and are also highly regarded. Focusing on
Carolan’s works first will bring you high rewards as
a player. By the way, though it is correct to say
“Turlough O’Carolan” when giving the full name,
when no first name is given one should simply refer to
him as “Carolan.”.
Although not a composer in the classical sense, Carolan
is considered by many to be Ireland's national
composer. Harpers in the old Irish tradition were still
living as late as 1792, and ten, including Arthur
O'Neill, Patrick Quin and Donnchadh Ó Hámsaigh,
attended the Belfast Harp Festival. Ó Hámsaigh did
play some of Carolan's music but disliked it for being
too modern. Some of Carolan's own compositions show
influences of the style of continental classical music,
whereas others such as Carolan's Farewell to Music
reflect a much older style of "Gaelic Harping".
"Planxty Hugh O'Donnell" AKA: "Pleraca Aod Ua Domnaill"
or "Planxtae Aodha Mic Domhneil" is an Irish Air or
Planxty (6/8 time, "animated") in C Major (most
versions). It was composed by O'Carolan in honor of
Hugh, one of the sons of Colonel Manus O'Donnell of
Newport, Co. Mayo. Hugh married Maud Browne, of Mount
Browne, Co. Mayo in 1728, reports O'Sullivan (1958),
who also provides further family history. It seems that
the Colonel was the great-grandson of Niall Garbh
O'Donnell, who had the curious miss-circumstance to be
offered the earldom of Tyrconnell by both Elizbeth and
James. Instead of this dual offer securing his fortune,
however, it sealed his fate, for he was brought to
England in 1608 where he languished in the Tower of
London for twenty years until his death.
Although originally composed for Traditional Irish
Instruments, I created this interpretation of the
"Planxty Hugh O'Donnell" for Flute & Celtic or Concert
(Pedal) Harp.
Download the sheet music here:
https://musescore.com/user/13216/scores/5638553
PARTITION