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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This album features 22 original compositions by harpist Christina Tourin, inspired by the theme of the labyrinth.

“To journey to the center of the labyrinth is to experience the most inner illumined part of your being. The compositions that you hear on this album have come from that very special place. With each musical gift of a tune that I have received, I pass them on with a little memo found within regarding their origins.” – Christina Tourin

The CD’s sleeve-notes include the ‘memos’ to which Christina refers above. Here are examples of the first few tracks:

1. The Dawn Early morning I awoke in Ireland and drove through the countryside through the gray mist, watching the yellow sun pierce its rays upon an old castle ruin. This tune filled my head as I drove through this magical, beautiful countryside.
2. Cridhe Cridhe means ‘heart’ in Gaelic.  I read a story about a young girl who lived in the Scottish Highlands and had been given her grandfather’s beloved harp upon his death. The name of the harp was Cridhe. This tune came to me as I reflected upon all the many things that touch our hearts.
3. Shadow Spirit As I was waiting for a bride to arrive at a church in Essex, VT, the sun’s rays poured through the stained glass windows and fell upon the harp’s soundboard in rich purple and blue hues. Purple is said to be the color of Spirit, and blue the color of mystery.

These beautiful compositions are also available in printed form in the 140-page music book, Healing Music Vol.1: Illuminations for harp players and students of Christina’s International Harp Therapy Program.

See also CD/audio-album Iona Inspirations, as well as Healing Music Vol 2: Inspirations book.

“In this sweet work, Christina combines her superb creative abilities as a composer with an unparalleled technique on harp.” – Richard Fuller, MP Review, 1/15/2000

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. The Dawn (3:34)
2. Cridhe – adjoins track
3. Shadow Spirit (4:09)
4. White Rose (2:56)
5. Snowy Wood (4:54)
6. Little Dove (3:36)
7. Light of Life (5:29)
8. Annwvyn (3:04)
9. Love of Creation/The Dove (4:41)
10. Illumination ( 0:30)
11. Anam Cara (2:47)
12. Cassandra’s Dream (3:50)
13. Diamonds From Heaven (2:32)
14. Unité (3:59)
15. Cherubim (2:01)
16. Seal Lullaby (2:30)
17. Harbor Cove (4:55)
18. Tranquility/Reflections (7:03)
19. Gentle Souls (3:29)
20. Jessiebelle of Silbury Hill (1:50)
21. Endearment (2:48)
22. Starlight (2:56)

All compositions by Christina Tourin © 2004

Musicians:
Harp & Keyboards: Christina Tourin
Kim Robertson: harp (trk 1)
Salina Briseno: voice (trk 2)
Christine Alicot: flute (trk 3)
Karen Kevra: flute (trk 4)
Judith Hitt: cello (trk 5)
Chris Michell: flute (trk 6)

Harps used in this recording: Hidden Valley – Petite Model, Glen Hill – Electric Harp, Rydecki – Luthien, William Rees – Glen Aulin

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

Amazon customer reviews:

(Both these reviews make reference to Illuminations Healing Music Vol.1 – the book of printed music for harp players.)

As Great as I’ve Heard I’ve listened to the CD for a while, which was very helpful when I received the music [book]. I’m a beginner so some of the music is beyond me at present, but I truly enjoy playing several pieces. This is exceptional music which people at all skill levels can enjoy. Thank you, Tina! – S. Krantz

Five Stars! Perfect for listening to figure out the sheet music! Lovely… soothing.– Nancy

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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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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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Truly beautiful music which is very suitable for relaxation purposes, or whilst receiving a massage or other bodywork therapies.

Sounding Strings harp magazine of Scotland describes Christina thus:

“…that delightful rarity, a composer of contemporary melodies that are singable! Her style lies between easy listening and jazz. [This] recording, Starlight, is tranquil, relaxing music with an intimate feel to it. She uses the warmth of the cello and the purity of the flute (her accompanying instruments) to superb effect.”

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. Light of Life 5:25
2. A Quiet Place (2:13) (Music by Jeanine Yeager, Harry Fox Agency)
3. A Haunting Refrain (2:15) (Music by Jeanine Yeager, Harry Fox Agency)
4. The Dove (3:40)
5. Flow Gently Sweet Afton (2:10) (Scottish trad.)
6. All the World is Sleeping (4:24) (Welsh lullaby)
7. Starlight (2:57)
8. Cassandra’s Dream (3:46)
9. In the Bleak Mid-Winter (2:35) G Holst, arranged by C Tourin)
10. Snowy Wood (5:40)
11. Little Boats (2:54) (Celtic trad.)
12. Lost Unicorn (3:49)
13. Shadow Spirit (2:44)
14. A Winter Round (3:46) (Anon.)

All compositions by Christina Tourin unless indicated otherwise.

Musicians:
Harp: Christina Tourin
Flute: Karen Kevra
Cello: Judith Hitt

Harps used: Hidden Valley Harps – Petite model, James Rydecki – Luthian model.

Recorded 1994, Chas Eller Studios, Charlotte, VT, USA

Label: Emerald Harp Productions

Amazon customer review:

“Relaxation at its best. As an insomniac I was very happy to find this CD. It is extremely soothing and yet not at all ‘canned’ as so many CDs that purport to be relaxing can be. The music has a very real, visceral quality to it, and while relaxing, the music is beautifully written and played, so that quality uplifts as well as relaxes.”

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The Signature Method for Learning to Play Music by Ear. It is the Basis for Music Development for the International Harp Therapy Program.

#1 – Creative Harping Introduction –  #1 – FREE LESSON

#2 – Dorian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Dorian Mode and add The Chanter to your repertoire. Wonderful scenery of caves, dragons and fire open the lesson. 

#3 – Aeolian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Aeolian Mode and add Little Boats, Mary Young and Faire and Greensleeves to your repertoire. A countryside journey through England opens this pastoral video.

#4 – Mixolydian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Mixolydian Mode and add The Silkie, Christ Child’s Lullaby and Lochaber No More to your repertoire. Opening scenes of the ocean and seals will delight the senses.

#5 – Locrian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Locrian Mode and add Sakura to your repertoire. You can almost smell the cherry blossoms as you play along with the opening scenes.

#6 – Ionian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Ionian Mode and add In The Bleak Mid-Winter and Suo Gan to your repertoire. Enjoy the gentle snowfall while watching the little birds appear.

#7 – Angel Mode – (Pentatonic tunings) Learn a series of Pentatonic tunes to play with the left hand while the right hand glides over the strings playing glissandos. Scenes from the heavenly realm and Angel paintings by Ann Rothan grace this ethereal video.

#8 – Middle Eastern Mode – Learn to improvise in the Middle Eastern Tuning and add Hava Nagila and Evening of Roses to your repertoire. Scenes from the desert sand dunes and desert animals tickle your fancy while you play along with this lesson.

#9 – The Chinese 5 Elements – Learn the tunings for the Chinese 5 Elements and play along with the video to scenes of Fire, Earth, Wood, Water and Metal.

#10 – The Ancient Celtic Circle of Music – How to identify the mode of a piece and how to transition from one mode to another. In this video, you’ll learn how to create seamless musical creations flowing from one feeling to another. Your “Play Along” will be enhanced with Transitions in Nature.

The post Streaming-Creative Harp Complete Set #1-10 appeared first on Playharp.

The Signature Method for Learning to Play Music by Ear – Creative Harping is the Basis for Music Development for the International Harp Therapy Program.

#2 – Dorian Mode – Learn how to improvise in the Dorian Mode and add The Chanter to your repertoire. Wonderful scenery of caves, dragons and fire open the lesson.

Lessons included

• Exercises
• Left-Hand Improvisations
• Improvisation in all Patterns (inc. Right Hand)

Repertoire

• The Chanter with Improvisation
• The Dragon
• Dragonwhispers – An Improvisation

We are excited to offer you the opportunity to save money on shipping by STREAMING the Creative Harping Lessons.  We still offer the hard copies and for our International Students, it is most affordable to get them in bulk to save on the shipping costs.

But we now offer you the lessons where you can study on-line.  They are not available to download onto your computer which means that you will always need to be on-line to view the lesson and practice with it. As with works of a composer, these are copyrighted and when you receive your access to the stream, the code is only intended for you and not to be shared.

Most importantly to remember is that you are getting lessons here that will go on forever. When you go to a teacher and pay $50.00 for one lesson, you will realize that through the Creative Harping Program you are getting many multiple lessons in each DVD/Viewing for the cost of 1 lesson. This is a continuing lesson from the most beginner to the most advanced level of player.

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