Sacred Airs on the Wire-Strung Harp, Vol. 1 Celtic Hymns

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

I have long admired the blind Irish harpist Dominick Mungan (1715-c.1787), who lived in the 18th century. It is said that he had a deep interest in church music and, in keeping with his refined and pure taste, loved "Old Hundredth" above all others.

This account led me to wonder for many years: what kind of sacred music did Dominick hear and perform?

This album is a collection of hymns and sacred melodies that I have gradually gathered and arranged into two volumes.

The first volume presents Celtic hymns and sacred airs from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Many of these melodies were not originally composed as church music, but rather began as secular songs or traditional airs and were later adapted as hymns.

For this reason, I feel that these melodies have a broad and generous character - they may sound like traditional music to some listeners, and like prayers or hymns to others.

All pieces on this album are performed solely on a 20-string wire-strung harp (op.361), designed and crafted by the performer himself. The instrument is decorated with beautiful Celtic patterns painted by Japanese artist Tomoko Nakai.

Detailed track commentary is available at the following link (in Japanese): https://note.com/carolanacademy/n/n9493af8eba67