Elinor Bennett: Llais Hen Delynau

Home > Events > Elinor Bennett: Llais Hen Delynau

Information

An opportunity to listen to music from the 18th and early 19th centuries played on two wonderful old harps, made in the same period. The story begins with the Triple harp, which was developed in Italy during the Baroque period and was played at the Royal Court in London at the time of Handel. With three rows of strings, the triple harp was difficult to play, expensive to string, and was forgotten by harpists in other countries. Paradoxically, it was adopted by the old Welsh harpists, and became the instrument of ordinary people in Wales. The harp played in this programme was made by the famous Triple harp-maker, John Richard of Llanrwst, circa 1755.

The old triple harp was replaced in most European countries during the late 18th century by new, beautifully decorated pedal harps from France and Germany, enabling harpists to use their feet to transpose to many keys easily. The new harps became popular among fashionable and wealthy ladies of the upper classes in Europe. The most renowned maker was Sebastian Erard, who worked in the Court of doomed Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. Erard had to flee to London during the French Revolution and opened a workshop in Great Marlborough Street, where my harp was made in 1807. It was renovated c. 1990 by Morley harps.

The programme includes music by Handel, Blind John Parry, Edward Jones (The King's Bard), Rosetti, Spohr and contemporaries.

P.S.
"Having played the modern concert harp professionally for many years, I wish to share the joy of playing music on authentic, original instruments - discussing aspects of playing two historic harps from my collection. I relied on the old harps - and music from their time - to guide me. It has been a revelation - as the sound and playing techniques are very different to the modern harp. I am grateful for the help that I have received from distinguished early music experts and try to follow their advice."