Turlough O'Carolan: 40 O'Carolan Tunes for All Harps: Harp Solo: Instrumental

SKU: MB.95266M

ISBN 9780786695546. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

Presenting 45 melodies composed by the blind Irish bard and harpist Turlough OCarolan arranged by such guitar greats as Dave Evans, Davey Graham, El McMeen, Duck Baker and many others. As these melodies lend themselves particularly well to guitar settings, OCarolans compositions have captured the imagination of guitarists world-wide. This compilation divides the tunes into three categories: Airs and Dance Tunes, Tunes for Patronage, and Laments. Written in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

SKU: MB.30963

ISBN 9781513468204. 8.75x11.75 inches.

This exceptional collection of 41 truly beautiful airs and ballads from the British Isles offers both well-known tunes by the prolific blind Irish harpist, Turlough Oâ??Carolan and rarely heard melodies by anonymous composers; all have stood the test of time. Arranged for soprano or tenor recorder, these include Oâ??Carolanâ??s classically influenced â??Lord Inchiquinâ? and â??Eleanor Plunkettâ? as well as â??O Gentle Doveâ? and â??Cuckoo Dearâ?â?? both examples of the strong tradition of song in Wales. Among other tunes, the haunting modal melodies of â??The Dark Slender Boyâ? and â??Enchanted Valleyâ? express the melancholic heart and soul of the British Isles.

A few of these songs have taken on a life of their own in modern times. â??Bonny at Mornâ?, a popular traditional tune of northern England and Scotland, was arranged for soprano voice and harp by the 20th century British composer, Benjamin Britten. â??The Skye Boat Songâ? originally recounted Bonnie Prince Charles Edward Stuartâ??s journey to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the historic Battle of Culloden. Later, the song evolved into a lilting lullaby and was more recently used as the theme song for the popular Outlander television series.

Departing slightly from recorder notation practice, author Marcia Diehl has judiciously arranged these melodies complete with spare slur markings to aid the amateur player in authentically and musically rendering these tunes.

SKU: MB.30983

ISBN 9781513471433. 8.75x11.75 inches.

Oâ??Carolan for Classical Guitar is the fourth and final volume of Guido Bögerâ??s classical guitar arrangements of the 214 compositions of the itinerant blind Irish harper, Turlough O'Carolan (1670â??1738). This last collection includes 58 solo pieces, including Oâ??Carolanâ??s variations on two Scottish airs.

These settings are generally intermediate in difficulty and reflect the beauty and lyricism of the original melodies, most of which are tribute tunes named for Oâ??Carolanâ??s patrons: Colonel Oâ??Hara, John Oâ??Connor, Mrs. Oâ??Connor, Lady Wrixon, General Wynne, Captain Oâ??Neil, The Landlady, etc. The works are meticulously written in standard notation and are ideal for sight-reading practice, personal enjoyment, or concert performance. Moderate left-hand fingering and string numbering are provided in these well-crafted arrangements.

Along with his previous Mel Bay editions, Turlough O'Carolan Irish Harp Pieces for Classical Guitar, O'Carolan Favorites and O'Carolan Airs, this book completes Guido Böger's comprehensive O'Carolan series. The set of four books would make a great gift, particularly for an Irish guitarist.