This album, produced by Peter Sprague, features spectacular orchestration – it’s soft, magical music yet it moves right along.

Compositions and arrangements by Christina Tourin, Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, William Mahan, Peter Sprague and Chris Foster, plus traditional tunes from France, Spain, Mexico and Scandinavia.

Reviews:

“Listening to this album is like listening to a liquid gold sunset! It is magical.”
– R. Christianson, Harp Journal, 1999

“Christina transports you to other dimensions”- D.S.

“Her music is out of this world!” – S. K.

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

Track listing: (CLICK on the title to jump to that part of the sample…)

Track Listing:

1. Magic Miss Melissa (8:10) – Peter Sprague (Satyam Music/BMI)
2. Windows of Paris (4:01) – William Mahan
3. La Calla (Intro: Cridhe) (4:01) – Christina Tourin; Chris Foster
4. La Llorona (4:01) – (Trad. Mexican)
5. Calcutta Midnight</span (4:01) – Peter Sprague; Kamala>
6. Reflections (4:01) – Christina Tourin
7. If You Can Walk, You Can Dance (4:01) – Kamala & Peter Sprague
8. La Guabina (4:01) – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz
9. Si Quedara Sin Ti (4:01) – Alfredo Rolando Ortiz
10. Mailvursin (4:01) – (Trad. Scandinavian)
11. Pirouette (4:01) – Chris Foster
12. Christina Tourin (4:01)

Note for harp players and other musicians:
Three songs La Llorona, Sueños and Pirouette from the HarpBeat album are featured in the Join In Series Vol.1 music-book of World Music, which features various arrangements for harp, piano or melody instrument, along with a special CD of ‘backing track’ versions for you to play along with.

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

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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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Christina weaves the magical properties of trees into music. A beautiful piece by Bach sings the praises of the maple tree, while a Russian folk tune creates the glory of the birch tree.

Along with the pure tones of Christina’s harp this beautifully orchestrated album also features French horn, cello, violin, flute, guitar, bass, and percussion.

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. Birch (4:55) – Russian folksong
2. Forest Dawn (4:14) – John Rutter (Lux Aeterna)
3. Maple (3:47) – J S Bach – Badinerie
4. Oak (5:01) – Jim Schiaroli/C Tourin
5. Apple Tree (4:54) – Peter Sprague
6. Coral Tree (5:29) – Peter Sprague
7. Aspen (4:39) – Steve Kajula
8. Willow (5:47) – C Tourin/S Kajula
9. Redwood (4:13) – Sydney Long (Breck’s Song)
10. Prayer for the Living Trees (8:08) – Sue Richards (Hazel Grove), John Rutter (Lux Aeterna, Requiem)

Musicians:
Christina Tourin – harp
Steve Kujala – Flute
Carlos Reyes – Violin
Peter Sprague – Guitar
Marcia Bookstein – cello
Keith Pokejoy – French horn
Tom Aros – percussion
Kevin Hennessy – bass

Produced by Peter Sprague – Satyam Music BMI

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.

I am especially excited to share this new composition with you!  During my travels this summer,  I received so much inspiration for new songs!  This is called Imaginings, sub-titled Dollink which is an affectionate English term for ‘Darling’. It was inspired after listening to a fun song called the “Graceful Ghost” performed by the group Whiplash.

I envisioned prancing on stage with a top hat and cane and playing my Blevins Touring 33. (Had fun visualizing the result – see image to the right! !).  I got to thinking about the history of ‘Top Hats and Canes’ and found it was a ‘screwball musical comedy’ from 1935, music written by Irving Berlin that featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!. What transpired in my head was this new song with a swing feel to it, Imaginings.  I have posted it here as a harp solo. However, when I went to record it, my engineer, the dynamic guitarist Peter Sprague and I couldn’t help but have lots of fun in the studio that day.

Therefore, although there is not a guitar transcription for this, for who could ever pull off playing like Peter!, I share the second clip of our duo. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.

Click on the track below to listen to the Imaginings solo composition.

Click on the track below to listen to the Imaginings Duo composition with Peter Sprague

The post Imaginings Sheet Music and MP3 Download appeared first on Playharp.

This is a lush recording with leaves brimming with color composed when they were slowly falling to the ground, preparing the time for inward reflection. While the Colors of the Season are red, orange and golden tones in one hemisphere, the Colors of the Season for others in the the other Hemisphere are pink, violet and yellow tones!

The day after I was in the studio recording this song, my amazing recording engineer and guitarist friend, Peter Sprague sent out his newsletter. This is what he says. Yes, these days, I feel like I am free of the click track!

“I’m thinking about this gal (Tina Tourin) that plays the harp and records in my studio. She’s living her life in rubato*. You know that scene of serenity where the harpist plays floaty, gentle music as life goes on around her? She’s free of the click track, arriving at the next bar whenever it feels right.

*rubato — the temporary disregarding of strict tempo to allow an expressive quickening or slackening, usually without altering the overall pace.”
Do have fun learning this piece and feel free to enter into Rubato. A very nice place to be! CRT

Click on the track below to listen to the Colors of the Season composition.

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Bhajans from the Heavenly Realm by Christina Tourin – Beautiful bhajan music mainly for harp, guitar and voices, though with a range of other instruments and sounds invoking the spiritual healing messages of India.

This album was originally conceived as an accompaniment to AYUDH’s Harp Orchestra – and the proceeds from these download sales go to support the humanitarian projects of Amma and her Embracing the World Organisation.

About AYUDH and HOPE (Harps Of Peace)

AYUDH, the youth group inspired by Amma, brings harp music to people needing uplifting, in nursing homes, orphanages, hospitals, hospices and other places of need, through their HOPE (Harps Of PEace) program.

The HOPE Program trains young people in therapeutic harp playing under the guidance of Christina Tourin, world-renowned music therapist and founder and director of the International Harp Therapy Program.

These trained practitioners then make visits to hospitals and care homes for the elderly to apply the healing benefits of music to mind, body and spirit.

AYUDH HOPE practitioners are currently active in Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany.

AYUDH are always in need of sponsors and donations to provide the small harps and teaching materials for those who are willing to study, enrich their own lives with creativity and then bring the music to others.

If you would like to see the work we do, and maybe help in this endeavor, please visit AYUDH.eu

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. Om Amritesvaryai Namah
2. Love of Creation/The Dove (21 secs)
3. Amba Bhavani (56 secs)
4. Anandamayi (84 secs)
5. Twameva Mata (135 secs)
6. Mother Nature (178 secs)
7. Shri Ram Jai Ram (219 secs)
8. Hope/Unité (272 secs)
9. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (304 secs)
10. Sevati (White Rose) (345 secs)
11. Om Namah Shivaya (373 secs)

Musicians:
Vocals: Neela Bhurtun
Harps: Christina Tourin and Daniela Tauchmann

Arrangements: Peter Sprague

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

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