Historical Harp Society Conference
at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival
Sunday July 23, 2023
9:00 AM coffee and registration
9:30-10:30 — Bill Taylor – Historical Damping Techniques for Harps and Psalteries
Detailed techniques from Welsh and Irish sources for playing gut- and wire-strung harps using fingernails and damping can be used for interpreting a wide range of repertoires, from medieval to modern styles. They are also appropriate for reconstructing techniques for playing psaltery, the lesser-understood cousin of the harp.
10:30-11:30 Nancy Hurrell – 19th-century Welsh and Irish Harps: Authentic Revival or Invented Traditions?
In the 19th century, Welsh and Irish harps were perceived as revived versions of true ‘native’ instruments; but were they actually newly invented traditions? Movements to promote national harps and music at festivals struggled with the contradictions of embracing modern harp designs and allowing the inclusion of classical harp repertoire.
11:30-12:00 — Coffee
12:00-1:00 — William Jackson – Modes & Moods
Exploring how different forms of ancient Scottish and Irish scales and modes might relate to the practice of modern music therapy, for instance how variations on a simple musical theme might be employed in a therapeutic setting to move from a single vocal sound into a shared conversation and interaction.
1:00-2:30 — Lunch
2:30-3:30 — Adriano Sangineto – “The King of the Harmony”: Continuo and its Modern Evolution
This session deals with the role of harp as a leading instrument of early harmony, the so-called “continuo”. A bass line can change the mood, lead the rhythm and give different nuances of a tune to become one of the main factors responsible for the aesthetics of music.
3:30-4:15 — Mara Galassi – From Orfeo to Orfeo: Harps for Seducing, Harps for Healing, Harps for Shouting!
Discussing the roles for diatonic, chromatic, hook and pedal harps in Baroque stage music during the 17th and 18th centuries. From the ritornello for arpa doppia in Monteverdi’s Orfeo, through the several harp parts in Handel’s oratorios, to the hook or pedal harp obligatos in Gluck’s Orfeo and …what the harpists did not write, but played!
4:15-5:00 — David Brown – Harps in Baroque Stage Music, 15th-18th Centuries
Looking at examples of instruments for theatrical spectacle, including various types of harps that would, and could have, been used on the Baroque stage. Harp construction, stringing and the functional differences will be explored, looking at extant instruments and iconography to illustrate these trends in order to better understand their use and sound.
5:00-6:00 — Christa Patton
Christa leads an informal session, inviting participants to play triple harps and to ask questions.
8:00 PM — Evening Concert
Featuring William Jackson, Adriano Sangineto, Christa Patton, Nancy Hurrell and Mara Galassi
Monday, July 24
Monday July 24, 9:30 AM – HHS Members’ Meeting
Members: the link for the member meeting Monday was sent to you separately.