Description
Song of the Wren: A Celtic Suite
The wren, the third-smallest bird in Europe, figures large in the Celtic music traditions. Its Latin name, troglodyte, means cave dweller. The birds also like to nest and roost in hedges and bushes. When the Celts settled in Ireland and Wales, they believed that wrens were messengers between humans and deities. It was thought that wrens could bring good luck to the short, dark days of winter.
Song of the Wren: A Celtic Suite for intermediate pedal or lever harp includes two polkas from Ireland, a Breton An Dro, and a lullaby from Shetland, Scotland, which all feature the wren. This lovely addition includes artworks of the artist/composer.
Wren Polka No. 1 – Ireland
This lively dance tune is in G major. It uses the special harp technique of prés de la table in marked passages where notes are plucked near the soundboard changing the sonority of the harp.
The Wren: Breton An Dro – Brittany
The An Dro in is a traditional Breton circle or line dance. This movement is E minor, the relative of G major. Glissandi and rolled chords suggest the movement of the bird.
Wren Song: Shetland Lullaby – Scotland
This lovely lullaby is unusual because of its 4/4 meter. Many lullabies are in triple meter to suggest rocking or lulling a child to sleep. This lullaby uses repeated melodic patterns and alternating between the A minor and F chords to create a rocking feel. In the introduction, interludes and coda the harp technique of sons xylo is used and half-notes are ornamented with grace notes to suggest bird calls. The fluttering of bird wings is created by a special glissando technique.
Wren’s Escape – Ireland
The final movement is a polka in G major. The introduction uses the sons xylo technique where indicated. Due to the lively melody, the left hand uses simple, long chords.
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