Carillon (Solo) - Download

An original piece for Irish / Celtic / Lever / Concert Harp - Download with Free MP3
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By Janet HARBISON

Composed in 1992 for Derek Bell, the harper of the The Chieftains

Published under License from Irish Harp Centre Publications

‘Carillon’ is French for ‘A Pealing of Bells’ and is the word commonly used for the set of enormous bells in the spires of European cathedrals. Carillon is a play on the theme of ecclesiastic bells and is a piece in four sections: Fanfare, Serenade, Jig and Finale. The first section is mindful of the great gonging and echoing cathedral bells; the second of the sweet and sleepy distant country church bells; and the third, the thrilling alarm of the unexpected. The final section brings all the themes together in a chiming celebration of Derek Bell.

This piece was originally composed as a harp solo for Derek who played it in his concert programmes. It also exists as a Harp Ensemble in Two Parts (both at Level 3) or in Three Parts (2 parts at Level 3 and 1 part at Level 1). In 1993, the Belfast Harp Orchestra recorded it in the 3 part version as the title track of the CD “Carillon” produced just after they won a Grammy Award with the Chieftains for the best folk music album of 1992.

Janet Harbison (b.Dublin) is a performer, composer and teacher of Irish harp and director of the Belfast and Irish Harp Orchestras.