Sacred Airs on the Wire-Strung Harp, Vol. 2 Classic Hymns

Sacred Hymns on the Wire-Strung Harp Vol. 2 - Traditional Hymns

In the 12th century, the Welsh cleric Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis) wrote that "the bishops, abbots, and saints of Ireland were accustomed to carry a harp with them wherever they went, and to play it with a devout spirit and delight."

The blind Irish harpist Dominick Mungan (1715-c.1787) is said to have loved "Old Hundredth" above all other tunes.

What kind of church music did he hear, and what melodies might he have played on his harp?

This album began with that question. It is a collection of hymn melodies that I have gradually gathered over many years, compiled into two volumes.

The second volume features well-known hymns such as "Nearer, My God, to Thee" and "Amazing Grace," along with traditional English and American hymn tunes.

While researching "Athlone," a tune also attributed to Turlough O'Carolan and included in Vol. 1, I came across the hymn collections of John and Charles Wesley. Though originally created for hymn singing, these melodies reflect the spirit of 18th-century Britain and possess a natural beauty that resonates deeply with the wire-strung harp.

Since hymns are often sung with different melodies to the same text, the track titles in this album are based primarily on the traditional tune names.

All performances feature only a single 20-string Japanese cypress wire-strung harp (op.361), designed and built by the performer himself. Enjoy the unique sound of this special instrument, adorned with a beautiful Celtic pattern painted by Japanese artist Tomoko Nakai.


Detailed track commentary is available at the following link (in Japanese): https://note.com/carolanacademy/n/n27c12d6c5dd4