Harps North West Presents Karen Marshalsay In Concert

Leading contemporary harpist and composer, Karen Marshalsay performs a very special concert for a small audience in The Farmer’s Arms Dining Room. 

Organised by Harps North West, Karen will perform her own compositions and arrangements of traditional tunes from the Gaelic and Scots harp and piping traditions on three different Scottish harps, the ancient resonant wire-strung harp of the Gaelic world, the modern gut-stung levered clarsach, and the Baroque bray harp of the lowlands with its distinctive buzzing sound.

She also features items from various cultures, including Latin America, and historical pieces from sources such as the Lute and Robert ap Huw manuscripts. Karen will perform material from her CD The Road to Kennacraig, as well as other pieces including some local Cumbrian tunes. She also draws the audience in by talking about the harps and their place in harp history and music.

“I’ll be playing music from the album and I’ll also be talking a bit about the tunes and the harps because people seem fascinated by the instrument,” says Karen. “The harp has associations with angels, of course, although the bray isn’t quite so angelic, and people are often fascinated by its long history which is irrevocably intertwined with the pipes.”

About Karen Marshalsay: 

Karen Marshalsay is one the few modern players using fingernail (as well as finger pad) technique on gut and wire-strung clarsachs (Scottish harps), bray harp and Paraguayan harp, specializing in the traditional music of Scotland and Latin America, and her own compositions. Her playing has developed through the folk world of feisean, festivals, workshops and instruction from leading players such as Alison Kinnaird (Scottish) and Bill Morgan and Rito Pedersen (Latin American). Karen received a Distinction in her LTCL recital in 2010 – the first time this has been awarded to an all Scottish traditional repertoire. She is currently the wire harp tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

“One of the leading contemporary performers on the instrument” – The Scotsman

About Harps North West: 

Harps North West is a registered charity which promotes the playing, teaching and appreciation of the harp. Our aim is to enable as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy this beautiful instrument. We hold regular workshops for experienced players and absolute beginners.

We offer a harp hire service. To find out more visit our website. www.harpsnorthwest.org.uk.