Celtic-inspired original compositions by harpist Christina Tourin and backed by virtuoso musicians on flutes, guitar, keyboards and cello.

Through Christina’s magical music, experience the mystery of the tiny sacred island of Iona, located off the wild western coast of Scotland.

Christina stretches the possibilities of what the Celtic harp can do! Delicious sounds that are both romantic and soothing.

“It is with great pleasure that I share the inspirations that brought forth the music for this album.

In April of 2007 I journeyed to the Isle of Iona off the western coast of Scotland for a silent retreat. Roughly 3.5 miles long and one mile wide, this tiny island lies off the west of Mull. Iona is sacred ground and full of history. St. Columba landed there in 563 A.D. and set up a monastery on the island, where The Book of Kells was illuminated.

Having the opportunity of entering into a silent retreat on the Isle of Iona for a week was a true gift of grace. Each day we spent time in contemplation and the only words spoken during the week were the holy words of the Fuinn (plural) – the beautiful Fonn of Gaelic sacred chant – not only a song or chant, but a state of mind and the land itself.

This enabled each of us ten attendees to listen to the sounds of nature, go into the beauty of the pink and green marble pebbles on the beach, and hear the conversations of the lambs with their mothers – I heard these sounds while I looked at the rays of the clouds reaching toward heaven.

Each of the songs here represent the various special places on the Island. There are songs inspired by a summer afternoon walk in the meadows, passing by the Fairy Mound and climbing up to the Well of Eternal Youth.

The glow of the light on the water inspired the very romantic In The Glow selection, while the clouds opening up to the heavens created the setting for the 4th octave overtone piece, The Sky’s Invitation.

Green marble and pink granite stones adorn the west side of the island facing out to the Atlantic ocean, providing the backdrop for the beautiful Stones piece and Fingal’s Cave. With the artistry of Steve Kujala (flute), Charles Eller (keyboards) and guitarists Peter Sprague and David Eastoe, many songs have rich harmonies added to the harp.

Another of my compositions, enhanced by the skillful work of David Eastoe on the keyboard, encompasses three different keys of music. Hopefully, this allows people with various resonant tones to experience, for a moment, one of the overtone sounds that might resonate with them and provide an experience of deep space and peace.

To top off the album, a couple of selections have the gorgeous chanting voice of Buvana Gerlach and some soft spoken Gaelic by Fionntulach – teacher of the Ceile De tradition on the Island.” – Christina Tourin

This Inspirations CD is also available along with the companion music book of these songs – here
The music is arranged for harp or piano at two skill-levels: beginner or intermediate. Some arrangements also include parts for flute and cello as well as keyboard or harp.

Here’s a sound file (that you can also download) with a sample from each track

Track listing: (CLICK on the track to jump to another part of the sample…)

Track Listing:

1. In the Glow (6:21)
2. St Columba’s Vision (4:43)
3. Images: Fairy Mound and Lammy O (5:56)
4. Iona of My Heart (3:16)
5. Well of Eternal Youth (3:39)
6. Stones (6:39)
7. Wild Geese (4:13)
8. White Mare (4:07)
9. Hermit Cell (3:08)
10. White Strand of the Monks (2:13)
11. Wonder (3:25)
12. Blackbird (3:22)
13. Fingal’s Cave and The Sea (4:29)
14. Sky’s Invitation (9:51)
15. Blessings On Iona (9:00) including: Bunessan (Morning Has Broken), Iona Blessings & May The Roads Rise Up To Meet You

All compositions by Christina Tourin with exception of:
– Fingal’s Cave by F Mendelssohn
– BunessanMorning Has Broken – Gaelic words by Eleanor Farjeon
– Child In The Manger(Hymn) – Gaelic by Mrs. M. MacDonald (Mull)
– May The Roads Rise Up To Meet You by Michael Lynch, © by Raven Music Company

Musicians:
David Eastoe – Guitars/Keyboards
Steve Kujala – Flute
Peter Sprague – Guitar
Marcia Bookstein – Cello
Charles Eller – Keyboard
John Dalton – Penny whistle
Fionntulach – Scots Gaelic
Buvana Gerlach – Chant

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

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Recently, I was visiting my family in Maui.At 3:00 a.m. I awoke to go outside and look up the stars over Kula, specifically looking for the line up of planets.  The heavens were beautiful with all configurations of  constellations and what appeared to be a beautiful lei made of stars. Leis are traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces given as a sign of welcoming and to show affection. A lei is a common symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor, or greeting. In other words, it is a symbol of Aloha. For me, standing under the stars, I felt not only the welcoming from the crystalline stars to be on Maui but the earth being held in the greatest love.  Aloha Maui!

The song has the elements of all the beautiful twinkling stars, played on the harp by myself and keyboard celeste by Cathy DeWitt of Gainesville, FL. The violin by Jacob Lawson adds the richness and mystery of the deep depths of the Universe that go on for eternity while my friend, David Eastoe of Castle Cary, UK adds his lovely slack key guitar to let us know that indeed, this is truly where I beheld the magic in Kula. Mastermind, Peter Sprague, of Leucadia, CA, adds the finishing touches and brings the whole composition together and special thanks to Rob Rothschild for the Florida recording session.

I hope you enjoy this as I love sharing those soulful chords. May this be a praise to the heavens!  Christina

Click on the track below to listen to the composition.

The post The Starry Lei of Maui Sheet Music and MP3 Download appeared first on Playharp.

From the mists of Avondale to the sacred waters of Glastonbury’s Chalice Well, the Emerald Harp carries you to the glens of Ireland and Britain.

The Irish Bard of the late 1100’s was required to have at his command three musical evocations:
Geantraighe – an excitement to love and laughter
Goltraighe – an arousal to valour or tears
Suantraighe – a disposition to slumber and repose

Christina’s style, a mix of pure traditional and ambient soulful dreaminess, evokes the spirit of the old bards.

Come on a magical journey from the Emerald Isle to the Isle of Avalon: sacred stone circles, groves of oak trees, Celtic crosses, fairy mounds and the trickling waters of the Chalice Well.

Note: Avondale is a picturesque place in Ireland where many mountain streams flow down into the dale.

Here’s a sound file (that you can also download) with a sample from each track

Track listing: (CLICK on the track to jump to another part of the sample…)

1. Avondale (2:59)
2. Maids of Mourne Shore (3:29)
3. Sally Gardens (3:18)
4. Carrickfergus (2:36)
5. The Chevalier’s Lament (4:20)
6. Queen’s Marsh (2:35)
7. Temple House (2:16)
8. Star of County Down (8:08)
9. Greensleeves (6:15)
10. Danny Boy 2:35)
11. Flowers of the Forest (2:49)
12. The Dark Isle (2:59)
13. Mary, Young & Faire (2:16)
14. Come Under My Plaidie (3:38)
15. Childgrove (8:09)

(Total Length: 58:50)

Musicians:
Celtic Harp: Christina Tourin
Guitar and Keyboard: David Eastoe
Flutes: William Jackson, Mark Valentine, Karen Kevra
Fiddle: Pete Sutherland
Cello: Judith Hitt
Bodhrán: Marty Morrissey

Christina’s Crystal Harp built by Glen Hill.

Recorded at and about: Beautiful Future Studio, Glastonbury, UK and Chas Eller Studios, Charlotte, Vermont, USA

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

Amazon customer review:

“This CD is BEYOND Fabulous… I had the good fortune to stumble into a harp workshop that Christina Tourin was teaching, then go to a concert of hers later that night. This is the CD I bought there – she had many to choose from – and I listened to it later.

I have just started getting into harp music in earnest, though I’ve appreciated it for a long time. Of all the harp CDs I have or have listened to, numbering about 20, this is by far the most gorgeous and lyrical. There isn’t a cheesy, over-the-top moment in it, and thankfully there’s no one cutting in to sing in it either.

It makes fabulous background music, supremely restful and gorgeous, and it’s the type of CD that everyone who hears it, a) wonders who it is; b) wonders what it is; and c) wonders if they can get one, immediately!

And this is from a cross-section of sophisticated listeners from different countries in the world (S. Africa, Trinidad, India), who probably have vastly different musical tastes.

It’s by far my favourite CD of the year, and will be a gift for many friends, as well. There’s lots more to learn about Christina – she has several websites and a number of harp CDs – but she’s a major talent and this is an absolutely incredible CD.”

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