THE VERSATILE CELTIC HARP
THE VERSATILE CELTIC HARP
This selection of pieces from the original album compiled by
Paul Culotta is a remix and tribute to my ‘adopted’ father,
friend, harp-maker, sailing instructor and confidant.
Paul passed to the other side in 2011 and his
line of Woldsong harps is now a legacy
that will live forever in all of the hearts of the harpists
and lovers of harp music that he has blessed with his art.
His goal in this compilation of songs
from these various artists was to
show the depth of versatility in the Celtic Harp
and how possible it is for this instrument to do
chromatic and complex pieces—
everything from Opera to Traditional to Contemporary.
Musicians:
Bobbie Jo Curley, Woldsong Celtic Harp/Vocals
Shawna Selline on Woldsong Celtic Harps and Vocals on
Note by Note with Dov on Violin
Suzy Yozgadlian (soprano on Barcarole)
Flying Cloud Reel
A spirited ditty that will get your feet moving
just like in the olden days…
with visions of ‘hills ‘o green and clouds ‘o white’
Lark in the Clear Air
This sweet Celtic love song tells of the
Depth of connection between birdsong
and lovers’ feelings for each other
Douce Dame Jolie
A beautiful song by Guillame De Machaut
14th Century Composer and Poet
Telling of deep devoted affection from a spurned paramour
to his ladylove…
The age old tale of unrequited love
Note by Note
This amazing piece by Shawna Selling
Daughter of Woldsong Harp Maker
Paul Culotta
will grab your hand and wheel you through
a beautiful journey of lyrical imagery that is truly unsurpassed
It is always everyone’s favorite song.
You will take respite with dancing trees and...
as a drop of water
Journey through watery rapids to
get to know the other drops...
as you know yourself
Sunday Bloody Sunday
As well as the
Likeminded individuals of this globe
Bobbie Jo shares Irish Rockers U2’s
Deep feelings against needless bloodshed
and the tragedy of minds bent for war
A very powerful piece coupled with the
national instrument of Ireland
Peace & Mankind Living Intelligently…
Lets NOT wait until
We’ve tried
Every Other Way :-O
Avé Maria - Schubert
This is another example
of the versatility of the Celtic Harp
It is a live performance
There is no overdubbing
In the Light
Bobbie Jo wrote this for her brother’s wedding
Steffen and Carin…
an inspiration that woke her in the wee hours one morning and produced visions of Cottonwood trees blowing in a haven
in the woods
As these two were married in this haven
which of course came to pass after the song—
unbeknownst to anyone
the Cottonwoods graced the ceremony
with flakes of down falling all around
Certainly a gift from the ether
Meditation from Thais
Another favorite of Paul’s and a
VERY challenging piece for the Celtic Harp
This also features Dov on Violin
As I was working out this piece
it was very imperative to
choose the voicing of my chords very carefully
It is not possible to achieve every single note
in a piece like this
but an arrangement is definitely possible!
Paul was always challenging people
to excel and become better musicians
He himself was a violinist and I spent many an hour with him accompanying him while he practiced
:-O
I was always amazed that his huge hands
could accomplish those difficult passages—
he was pretty good and always pushed himself to get better!
Barcarole
Tales of Hoffman, Offenbach
This was always one of Paul’s favorite pieces
Paul was a philanthropist
as well as Harp maker
He would put on concerts along with
scholarship certain people who
touched him with their talents
Suzy Yozgadlian was one of those
and is the high soprano for this recording.
Bobbie Jo is the lower Soprano
