World Renowned Harper to play in Gort Lib rary

national | arts and media | event notice Monday November 02, 2009 16:53 by Fred Johnston - Western Writers' Centre, Galway - Ionad Scribhneoirí Chaitlín Maude westernwriters at eircom dot net Canavan House, Nuns Island, Galway, Ireland 087.2178138

World-renowned expert on the 'clairseach' or Gaelic harp, Ann Heymann, will perform her music for the Western Writers' Centre - Ionad Scribhneoirí Chaitlín Maude - Galway at Gort Public Library on Fri

Admission is free.

She will be accompanied by her husband, Charlie, who is also a story-teller and musician.

Poets and Musicians - Ann Heymann and her husband Charlie (c) Heymann

"This is a particular honour for us," says the Centre's director, Fred Johnston. "It's a blending of the very ancient format of poetry and harp music. There is a tendency with contemporary poets, especially younger ones, to neglect the traditional bond between music and poetry. We are delighted to have Ann and Charlie visit us."
Under the name "Clairseach" (Irish for "Gaelic harp"), Ann and Charlie perform a broad spectrum of repertoire--from traditional and historical to Ann's own compositions--throughout the United States, Europe and Australia. Their collaboration extends to giving presentations on their research in related areas such as Gaelic harp mythology and the performance of medieval bardic poetry. Ann inspires professionals and learners alike, and is frequently asked to lead workshops and masterclasses. Her definitive solo CD "Queen of Harps" documents the virtuosic capability of the Gaelic harp. Current projects with her husband include investigating the symbiotic relationship between the harp and Gaelic bardic poetry; religious chant of the Celtic rite; medieval monophonic dance music; the presentation of Gaelic oral narrative poetry; the role of the clairseach in palliative care; and completing their investigation into the metallurgy of historical clairseach stringing.
The Western Writers' Centre has been intent to include ancient harp-music along with readings; chair of the irish Historical Harp Society of Ireland, Siobhán Armstrong, whose international reputation as a harper is acknowledged widely, played to the poetry of Clare Sawtell at Gort Library during the last 'Forge at Gort' literature festival. Ann Heymann also tutors in the annual Harp School at Kilkenny, organised by the Historical Harp Society of Ireland.
Details can be obtained from westernwriters@eircom.net and 087.2178138. The event is sponsored by The Arts Council and Galway County Council.