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, tho...(+)
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".
Baron Inchiquin (Irish: Barún Inse Uí Chuinn) is one
of the older titles in the Peerage of Ireland. It was
one of two titles created on 1 July 1543 for Murrough
O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, who was descended from the
great high king Brian Boru. The grant of the English
titles was conditional upon the abandonment of native
titles, the adoption of English customs and laws,
pledging of allegiance to the English crown, apostasy
from the Catholic Church, and conversion to the
Anglican Church. Murrough was made both Earl of Thomond
in the Peerage of Ireland, with remainder to his nephew
Donough O'Brien and Baron Inchiquin, with remainder to
his male heirs. Lord Inchiquin is the name of a
traditional Irish air by O'Carolan, assumed to be
dedicated to his contemporary William O'Brien, 4th Earl
of Inchiquin. Inchiquin was a Whig Member of Parliament
for much of his life, and also held the offices of
Governor of County Clare from (1741 to 1777) and Custos
Rotulorum of County Clare (1762 to 1767). In 1753 he
was admitted to the Privy Council of Ireland.
Wikiepedia notes that "Inchiquin was feted by
antiquarians and many of the works of Irish history
produced at this time are dedicated to him; as an
Anglican deriving his lineage from an old Gaelic
family, he was a politique choice for those wishing to
disseminate their work in Ascendancy Ireland and
Hanoverian Britain."
Source: Tune Archive
(https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Lord_Inchiquin).<
br>
Although originally composed for Traditional Irish
Instruments, I created this interpretation of the "Lord
Inchiquin" for Flute, Oboe & Strings (2 Violins, Viola
& Cello).
Download the sheet music here:
https://musescore.com/user/13216/scores/5601915
PARTITION