More information about the concerts: |
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OPENING EVENT
HARPCATCHER
23/10/2023
Performance: ‘The Fairies Lullaby’
Lucia de Carlo (Voice and Harp), Andree Bottiglioni (Percussion)
This performance, inspired by a sonnet composed by William Shakespeare, ranges from ancient ballads narrating stories of kings and queens, valiant leaders and fairy creatures who fell in love with mortals to the sacred and profane music of the Middle Ages.
Lucia de Carlo (Voice and Harp), Andree Bottiglioni (Percussion)
This performance, inspired by a sonnet composed by William Shakespeare, ranges from ancient ballads narrating stories of kings and queens, valiant leaders and fairy creatures who fell in love with mortals to the sacred and profane music of the Middle Ages.
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18:30 HARP-THEMED CANDLELIT DINNER
MICHELANGELO RESTAURANT 30 St Thomas Street, Ryde PO33 2DL 01983 811966 3 courses Harp-themed Menu £39 Booking essential |
LUCIA DE CARLO, singer, musician and actress, was born in Modena (Italy) in 1980. She graduated from the Faculty of Art, Music and Entertainment (DAMS) of Bologna. Lucia approaches different singing styles such as musical, lyric and folk. In 2009 she founded a Celtic/folk musical group called Belthane of which she is still a singer and harpist. In addition to this, in 2016 she founded another musical project called The Fairies Lullaby in collaboration with Andree Bottiglioni, with a focus on
medieval, renaissance and Celtic music.
ANDREE BOTTIGLIONI, percussionist and instrument maker, was born in Germany in 1966 and moved to Verona at the age of four. In 2005 he became very interested in Irish music after being fascinated by the sound of the bodhran. He began by teaching himself and then took lessons from musicians in Milan.
At the same time, he participated
assidously in sessions around Ireland and Italy playing with Junior Davey and John Joe Kelly, two of the greatest bodhran players, and with Siobhan O’Donnell in singing and ‘lilting’. In 2018 Andree attended Harp on Wight’s harp making course under the guidance of Sylvestre Charbin, and has since founded his own company, Red Squirrel Musical Instruments, specialising in making ancient and folk instruments.
medieval, renaissance and Celtic music.
ANDREE BOTTIGLIONI, percussionist and instrument maker, was born in Germany in 1966 and moved to Verona at the age of four. In 2005 he became very interested in Irish music after being fascinated by the sound of the bodhran. He began by teaching himself and then took lessons from musicians in Milan.
At the same time, he participated
assidously in sessions around Ireland and Italy playing with Junior Davey and John Joe Kelly, two of the greatest bodhran players, and with Siobhan O’Donnell in singing and ‘lilting’. In 2018 Andree attended Harp on Wight’s harp making course under the guidance of Sylvestre Charbin, and has since founded his own company, Red Squirrel Musical Instruments, specialising in making ancient and folk instruments.
OPENING CONCERT
24/10/2023
KADIALY KOUYATE
Experience the magical sound of the West African kora, as Kadialy makes a
welcome return to the Isle of Wight. He first came to the Island in 2009 when he performed two concerts in a double bill with Lily Neill. Enjoy beautiful melodies and deep messages from the Griot tradition.
welcome return to the Isle of Wight. He first came to the Island in 2009 when he performed two concerts in a double bill with Lily Neill. Enjoy beautiful melodies and deep messages from the Griot tradition.
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19:15
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 |
Born into the great line of Kouyate Griot in Southern Senegal, KADIALY KOUYATE’s kora playing and singing style, both as a soloist and in different ensembles, have been appreciated in many prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the O2 Arena, the National Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall and Clarence House. Kadialy has also played venues and festivals across the world, touring Europe, Australia and North America. Since his arrival in the UK, Kadialy has played a significant part in enriching the London music scene with his Griot legacy.
Kadialy has taught the kora at SOAS, University of London, for the last decade and has also been involved in countless musical projects both as collaborator and session musician. He toured with the RSC’s production of Julius Caesar. Other theatre projects include working at London’s Globe Theatre on a show called We the People as well as touring with three children’s theatre projects with the renowned Oily Cart. In 2015 he took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach. Kadialy has released several albums, and makes regular radio and television appearances.
With his Sound Archive, Kadialy Kouyate draws on his heritage and its traditional songs to create his own mesmerising compositions, leading his fantastic band into the West African groove. His latest album Nemo (meaning Blessings in Mandinka), released in April
2020, won rave reviews and was selected Top of the World in the July 2020 issue of Songlines Magazine.
‘It’s great to hear Kadialy Kouyate firmly back in his own Mandinka territory. This album Na Kitabo (My Book) by the kora player and singer is rooted in his own Senegalese
tradition and has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making. The themes of the songs counteract humanity’s current obsession with negativity in the world and focus instead on happiness.’ Rhythmpassport.
Kadialy has taught the kora at SOAS, University of London, for the last decade and has also been involved in countless musical projects both as collaborator and session musician. He toured with the RSC’s production of Julius Caesar. Other theatre projects include working at London’s Globe Theatre on a show called We the People as well as touring with three children’s theatre projects with the renowned Oily Cart. In 2015 he took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach. Kadialy has released several albums, and makes regular radio and television appearances.
With his Sound Archive, Kadialy Kouyate draws on his heritage and its traditional songs to create his own mesmerising compositions, leading his fantastic band into the West African groove. His latest album Nemo (meaning Blessings in Mandinka), released in April
2020, won rave reviews and was selected Top of the World in the July 2020 issue of Songlines Magazine.
‘It’s great to hear Kadialy Kouyate firmly back in his own Mandinka territory. This album Na Kitabo (My Book) by the kora player and singer is rooted in his own Senegalese
tradition and has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making. The themes of the songs counteract humanity’s current obsession with negativity in the world and focus instead on happiness.’ Rhythmpassport.
REMY VAN KESTEREN
"Muses"
25/10/2023
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19:15
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 As Catrin Finch so aptly writes in her foreword for this programme, ‘... one of the most exciting and inventive harpists in the world today, Remy van Kesteren will astound you with a performance I guarantee you will not forget.’ We anticipate electro-harp magic.
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REMY VAN KESTEREN was five years old when he was enchanted by the sound of the harp while in a garden, and knew that that was it. He was admitted to the Conservatoire of Utrecht at the age of ten and graduated in 2010 with honours. He continued his education at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he studied with Isabelle Moretti. In 2012, he received his Master’s diploma with honours at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam. Remy has won various prizes, which
have led to concerts all around the world. He debuted at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Het Nederlands Kamerorkest when he was sixteen. The previous year he played on the occasion of the baptism of Princess Amalia, and also performed in Carnegie Hall, New York.
But then Remy reached the age of 25 and knew: this isn’t it. Not all of it. This realisation led, in
2016, to Tomorrow Eyes, the genre-transcending album containing a number of pieces composed by Remy himself. He went from playing with world famous orchestras to playing in clubs and at pop festivals, performing solo, with his band and with The Analogue Robot Orchestra. He pushes the boundaries of his instrument. He plays a unique specially designed and crafted harp with 49 strings: the Salvi Réus, funded by the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds. With this harp Remy followed his debut album with the pioneering Shadows (2019), An Alternative Soundtrack to the Motion Picture… (2020) and four EPs: Home Studio Sessions (2020), and, in 2022, Places I May Have Visited, People I May Have Met, Parts 1, 2 and 3.
Remy loves to collaborate with dancers and other musicians. He is the artistic director of the Dutch Harp Festival, held every two years in Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht. He was hailed by the New York Times (1989) as a ‘brilliant harpist ... when Remy van Kesteren plays the harp, it sounds like you have never heard it before.’
have led to concerts all around the world. He debuted at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Het Nederlands Kamerorkest when he was sixteen. The previous year he played on the occasion of the baptism of Princess Amalia, and also performed in Carnegie Hall, New York.
But then Remy reached the age of 25 and knew: this isn’t it. Not all of it. This realisation led, in
2016, to Tomorrow Eyes, the genre-transcending album containing a number of pieces composed by Remy himself. He went from playing with world famous orchestras to playing in clubs and at pop festivals, performing solo, with his band and with The Analogue Robot Orchestra. He pushes the boundaries of his instrument. He plays a unique specially designed and crafted harp with 49 strings: the Salvi Réus, funded by the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds. With this harp Remy followed his debut album with the pioneering Shadows (2019), An Alternative Soundtrack to the Motion Picture… (2020) and four EPs: Home Studio Sessions (2020), and, in 2022, Places I May Have Visited, People I May Have Met, Parts 1, 2 and 3.
Remy loves to collaborate with dancers and other musicians. He is the artistic director of the Dutch Harp Festival, held every two years in Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht. He was hailed by the New York Times (1989) as a ‘brilliant harpist ... when Remy van Kesteren plays the harp, it sounds like you have never heard it before.’
HELENA RICCI
"Anima"
26/10/2023
Soul, air and spirit are words which embody the word ‘anima’ and can equally
well be applied to music. Helena’s programme for solo harp emerged from personal meditation on the question ‘what does music mean to you?’
well be applied to music. Helena’s programme for solo harp emerged from personal meditation on the question ‘what does music mean to you?’
Photo credits: Benjamin Ealovega
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14:00
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £10, Children under 16: £5 |
Helena Ricci is an award-winning Swiss trailblazing harpist and creative entrepreneur based in London.
Proudly forging a path outside of the classical competition circuit, she is an ambassador for
the harp as a solo instrument, pioneering new transcriptions and innovative repertoire programming.
She blends her creative mind with a vision for forward-thinking concert formats through her MUS!LUX
project, merging classical music with technology and art.
Helena Ricci is a current City MusicFoundation Artist and Stoller Hall Emerging Artist and has recently played at the Royal Opera House and for His Majesty The King.
Instagram @helenaricciharp
Facebook @helenaricciofficial
YouTube @HelenaRicci
Proudly forging a path outside of the classical competition circuit, she is an ambassador for
the harp as a solo instrument, pioneering new transcriptions and innovative repertoire programming.
She blends her creative mind with a vision for forward-thinking concert formats through her MUS!LUX
project, merging classical music with technology and art.
Helena Ricci is a current City MusicFoundation Artist and Stoller Hall Emerging Artist and has recently played at the Royal Opera House and for His Majesty The King.
Instagram @helenaricciharp
Facebook @helenaricciofficial
YouTube @HelenaRicci
ISMAEL LEDESMA
"ARPA GUARANI"
26/10/2023
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19:15
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 Ismael’s concert is in honour of the Guarani civilisation (indigenousParaguayan) who, at the beginning of the 1600’s, first learned the harp from the Jesuit missionaries. ‘Arpa Guarani’ is the title of his most recent CD.
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ISMAEL LEDESMA was born in the city of Lambaré, Paraguay, in 1962, into a musical family. He began to learn the harp with his father at the age of five, and his first performance was at a school festival in the city of Fernando de la Mora at age six. He won his first prize in the genre interpretation at twelve years old in a folkloric festival organized by the Chilean Embassy in Paraguay. He played with his mother’s group Los Madrigales in various nightclubs in the city of Asunción and at private events.
After finishing high school, Ismael was invited to France by his uncle, the musician Kike Lucena. Ismael then joined the Parisian Latin-American circuit, sharing the stage with Paraguayan artists living in France, such as Papi Echeverría, Juan Portillo, Lito Benítez, Johnny Cabrera, Pedro Fernandez, Alberto Jara and more. He studied French Language and Civilization at the Sorbonne University. Meanwhile he continued training at the Paris International Music Conservatory Alfred de Vigny.
His first solo concert was in Paris at the Du Marais theatre. In 1985 Ismael set out on a solo career, performing his own compositions. He wanted to promote Latin American music.
Ismael has performed on important stages around the world, including Japan, Mexico, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and of course France.
He was the first artist to appear in the Hemicycle
of the Shrine of Lourdes in 2018. He was invited to the World Music Festival of Martigues and the Festival of Capvern.
Ismael returns frequently to his own country where he takes part in Paraguayan events and has twice played at the World Harp Festival in Asunción. The French Senate has distinguished him as Personality of Latin America in France and the Paraguayan tourism ministry nominated him Ambassador of the Paraguayan Arpa. He has made 13 albums, and in 2023 He celebrates 55 years of playing the harp. Ismael is without doubt one of the greatest representatives of Paraguayan music.
After finishing high school, Ismael was invited to France by his uncle, the musician Kike Lucena. Ismael then joined the Parisian Latin-American circuit, sharing the stage with Paraguayan artists living in France, such as Papi Echeverría, Juan Portillo, Lito Benítez, Johnny Cabrera, Pedro Fernandez, Alberto Jara and more. He studied French Language and Civilization at the Sorbonne University. Meanwhile he continued training at the Paris International Music Conservatory Alfred de Vigny.
His first solo concert was in Paris at the Du Marais theatre. In 1985 Ismael set out on a solo career, performing his own compositions. He wanted to promote Latin American music.
Ismael has performed on important stages around the world, including Japan, Mexico, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and of course France.
He was the first artist to appear in the Hemicycle
of the Shrine of Lourdes in 2018. He was invited to the World Music Festival of Martigues and the Festival of Capvern.
Ismael returns frequently to his own country where he takes part in Paraguayan events and has twice played at the World Harp Festival in Asunción. The French Senate has distinguished him as Personality of Latin America in France and the Paraguayan tourism ministry nominated him Ambassador of the Paraguayan Arpa. He has made 13 albums, and in 2023 He celebrates 55 years of playing the harp. Ismael is without doubt one of the greatest representatives of Paraguayan music.
FRAN BARSBY AND THE
ISLE OF WIGHT POPPYHARPERS
27/10/2023
A beautiful eclectic collection of music performed by the harp ensemble formed from students of this year’s Harp on Wight International Festival conducted by Fran Barsby. You will hear music from around the world. Come and enjoy an afternoon of delightful listening to harp music as never heard before.
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14:00
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 |
FRAN BARSBY is an award-winning harpist based in West Sussex. Having graduated in 2015 from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire she was awarded a Master’s degree in education from Bath University in 2022.
Fran has been playing the harp for 20 years and during this time she has enjoyed studying with teachers including Catherine White, Gabriella Dall'Olio, David Watkins, Skaila Kanga, Louisa Maria Cordell, Charlotte Seale, Anne Hughes Chamberlain, and others. She is Resident Harpist for the British harp makers, Pilgrim Harps.
Fran enjoys a busy performing and teaching career and has performed in many prestigious venues such as St John’s Smith Square, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and many more. She enjoys performing an eclectic mix of music but is especially passionate about arranging pop and film music and bringing the harp into the 21st century.
Fran also has a great passion for teaching and ensuring that anyone who wants to learn the harp has the opportunity. Fran has enjoyed giving masterclasses at numerous harp festivals, schools and universities such as at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Young Composers Project.
Fran is a Director at PoppyHarp, which launched in 2014.
PoppyHarp is a harp showroom for British harp makers, including Pilgrim Harps, Silver Spear Harps and Derwent Harps.
Through PoppyHarp Fran helps young professional musicians and composers publish their first compositions.
In conjunction with this she launched the Future Blend Project, now internationally renowned. Fran also launched, in 2015, the PoppyHarp Competitive Harp Festival. This is run online each January and is extremely popular, with students and professionals taking part from all over the world.
Fran has been playing the harp for 20 years and during this time she has enjoyed studying with teachers including Catherine White, Gabriella Dall'Olio, David Watkins, Skaila Kanga, Louisa Maria Cordell, Charlotte Seale, Anne Hughes Chamberlain, and others. She is Resident Harpist for the British harp makers, Pilgrim Harps.
Fran enjoys a busy performing and teaching career and has performed in many prestigious venues such as St John’s Smith Square, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and many more. She enjoys performing an eclectic mix of music but is especially passionate about arranging pop and film music and bringing the harp into the 21st century.
Fran also has a great passion for teaching and ensuring that anyone who wants to learn the harp has the opportunity. Fran has enjoyed giving masterclasses at numerous harp festivals, schools and universities such as at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Young Composers Project.
Fran is a Director at PoppyHarp, which launched in 2014.
PoppyHarp is a harp showroom for British harp makers, including Pilgrim Harps, Silver Spear Harps and Derwent Harps.
Through PoppyHarp Fran helps young professional musicians and composers publish their first compositions.
In conjunction with this she launched the Future Blend Project, now internationally renowned. Fran also launched, in 2015, the PoppyHarp Competitive Harp Festival. This is run online each January and is extremely popular, with students and professionals taking part from all over the world.
LAOISE KELLY
Ancient and Modern Traditional Irish Tunes
27/10/2023
We are delighted to welcome Laoise to the Festival. This will be her first appearance on the Island since the summer of 2000 when she performed a concert at Quay Arts as a member of the Irish traditional trio Bumblebees with Mary Shannon and Collette O’Leary. Laoise’s sparky individual style of playing stands out through sheer talent and technical brilliance. We are in for a treat.
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19:15
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 |
LAOISE KELLY, hailing from Westport, County Mayo, has won three
All-Ireland Harp competitions and the Waterford Crystal harp at the Belfast Bicentennial Harp Festival 1992. She has featured on numerous TV and radio programmes both in Ireland and internationally, including RTÉ’s A River of Sound, The Late Late Show, Sult, Eurovision, BBC’s Folkworks UK Harp Tour Documentary, Colmcille sessions, and many of TG4’s music programmes. In 2020 she was awarded Musician of the year, TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana. Laoise has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping, as showcased in her three critically acclaimed solo albums Just Harp, Ceis and Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh.
Among her numerous achievements is Laoise’s role as Director of the Achill International Harp Festival. She was a founding member of traditional group Bumblebees with whom she recorded two albums and toured extensively. She is also a founding member of Fiddletree, a group with members from America, Cape Breton and Scotland who play eight instruments made from the same tree. Throughout her career she has
recorded over 70 albums with many of Ireland’s leading artists, as well as Kate Bush and American country/bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien.
Laoise was Musical Director on Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and Seán O’Casey’s Purple Dust with Glasgow theatre company Arches at the Edinburgh Festival.
She toured with New York-based Mabou
Mines’ award-winning production of Peter and Wendy to the Edinburgh Festival and to New York, off-Broadway. Laoise has performed for Irish Presidents Michael D. Higgins, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and for the twenty-five EU heads of state and presidents in Dublin. She has represented Ireland with the Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Ghana, Russia, Argentina, and at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
‘An exuberant and innovative talent which catches the spirit of the modern Irish music movement.’ Irish Music Magazine
All-Ireland Harp competitions and the Waterford Crystal harp at the Belfast Bicentennial Harp Festival 1992. She has featured on numerous TV and radio programmes both in Ireland and internationally, including RTÉ’s A River of Sound, The Late Late Show, Sult, Eurovision, BBC’s Folkworks UK Harp Tour Documentary, Colmcille sessions, and many of TG4’s music programmes. In 2020 she was awarded Musician of the year, TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana. Laoise has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping, as showcased in her three critically acclaimed solo albums Just Harp, Ceis and Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh.
Among her numerous achievements is Laoise’s role as Director of the Achill International Harp Festival. She was a founding member of traditional group Bumblebees with whom she recorded two albums and toured extensively. She is also a founding member of Fiddletree, a group with members from America, Cape Breton and Scotland who play eight instruments made from the same tree. Throughout her career she has
recorded over 70 albums with many of Ireland’s leading artists, as well as Kate Bush and American country/bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien.
Laoise was Musical Director on Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and Seán O’Casey’s Purple Dust with Glasgow theatre company Arches at the Edinburgh Festival.
She toured with New York-based Mabou
Mines’ award-winning production of Peter and Wendy to the Edinburgh Festival and to New York, off-Broadway. Laoise has performed for Irish Presidents Michael D. Higgins, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and for the twenty-five EU heads of state and presidents in Dublin. She has represented Ireland with the Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Ghana, Russia, Argentina, and at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
‘An exuberant and innovative talent which catches the spirit of the modern Irish music movement.’ Irish Music Magazine
PERFORMANCE PLATFORM
Huw Boucher and Aisha Palmer
28/10/2023
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The Festival's traditional Saturday afternoon concert features two leading
young harpists: the winner and runner-up in the 2023 UK Harp Association Competition in the North London Festival. The winner was HUW BOUCHER and the runner-up was AISHA PALMER. Both harpists are from Wales. We welcome Aisha and we welcome back Huw who performed here last year as joint runner-up in the 2022 competition. |
Sponsored by:
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14:00
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT Tickets: £15, Children under 16: £7 |
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HUW BOUCHER’s interest in music began when he started learning the piano at the ageof 10. At 11 years old at the Junior Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama he began his harp studies with Kathryn Rees. With the addition of the flute Huw achieved ABRSM Grade 8 in all three instruments by his early teens. He won the National Eisteddfod from 2016-19 and in 2017 was also awarded the coveted Blue Ribbon with a £1000 scholarship.
Huw was also a finalist on two occasions in the Gregynog National Young Musician with a £500 scholarship award. In 2018 He joined the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and performed with them in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2020 Huw was the only harpist in the Strings Finals in the BBC Young Musician competition, which was shown on national television. In 2021 Huw was awarded a full scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in addition to the prestigious ABRSM award to support his studies. At the Academy Huw studies with Skaila Kanga, Professor Emerita of Harp, as well as being part of a thriving harp department. In July 2022 Huw won the Silver Medal at the USA International Harp Competition in Bloomington, Indiana. He also won the Concerto Prize in the final stage. |
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AISHA PALMER is a harpist whose Welsh heritage plays an important role in her performances, promoting compositions written by Welsh composers. She annually competes in the Eisteddfod yr Urdd and Genedlaethol, achieving first place, with her performances being televised on S4C.
Among her numerous awards Aisha has won the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra Young Soloist Competition 2023, the Nansi Richards Scholarship in the Wales Harp Festival 2022, second prize at the UK Harp Competition in the North London Festival, the Olive Jenkins Memorial Bursary, and the Peter Simon Award for Harp which led to her becoming a Philanthropy Ambassador for the Academy. Aisha achieved the LRAM Teaching Diploma in 2022 and has been approached to become a coach for the Harp Scheme at Thames Youth Orchestra starting September 2023. Aisha is establishing herself internationally. She was awarded second prize in the World Music Category at the Wales International Harp Festival 2023; the Professional Duet Category in the Hong Kong International Harp Competition 2022; first prize in the International Harp Competition Walled Town in Cittadella; second prize at the Infinity International Harp Competition and a Diploma in the Glowing Harp International Competition. She performs regularly with a variety of orchestras, including the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Royal Academy Opera, Royal Academy Symphony Orchestra, Royal Academy Symphonic Brass, Gustav Mahler Orchestra, Thames Youth Orchestra and Orchestra of the City. Aisha has worked with renowned international harpists attending masterclasses from Isabelle Perrin, Anneleen Lenaerts, Gwyneth Wentink and Anne Sophie Bertrand. She is in her final year of her Bachelor of Music Degree at the Royal Academy of Music under the tuition of Karen Vaughan. She plans to continue her post-graduate studies with Catrin Finch. |
CORRINA HEWAT & MARY MACMASTER
Singing The Clarsach
28/10/2023
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Two of Scotland’s most respected and best loved harpists present songs and tunes from Scotland and beyond on acoustic and electro harps in a concert specially created for the Festival. We welcome Corrina. Mary played a big part in our first Festival in 2014 and it is great to welcome her back.
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19:15
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT |
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CORRINA HEWAT grew up in the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by music and song, art and stories, in an expansive landscape which helped shape her musical narrative. She is a harper, singer, composer and was Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 2012-2022.
Corrina directs the Scots Folk 60-strong choir Sangstream and the Borders Health in Harmony Staff Choir. She works in a duo with pianist Dave Milligan, and a special harp duo with Mary Macmaster. Corrina also runs Harp in Scotland, an online learning weekend and the Harp Village, a harp weekend in Cromarty annually in late September. Corrina has recorded around 50 albums, 13 under her own or band name, and has composed many large-scale commissions for ensemble. She co-directs the children’s theatre company DragonSong Productions and is also one of the musicians compiling the 100 Women Composers in Trad Tunebook, for release on Faber Music. Inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as part of the groundbreaking harp duo Sileas, MARY MACMASTER is best known for her pioneering work with the metal-strung clarsach and the fantastic Camac electro-harp. Mary has toured extensively with Sileas, The Poozies, Shine, Macmaster/Hay, Clan Alba, Caledon and award winning project, Songs of Separation. As well as working with theatre companies Dogstar, Grid Iron and Licketyspit, Mary has collaborated live and in the studio with many wonderful musicians including Dick Gaughan, Kathryn Tickell, Norma Waterson and Sting. In 2017 Mary was presented with the Hands up for Trad Inspiration Award. |
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CLOSING CONCERT
LILY NEILL
29/10/2023
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We are very pleased that Lily will be performing the closing concert in our 10th Anniversary Festival. She has a real affinity with the Isle of Wight. This will be her eighth appearance on the Island - the first being in 2008. Her latest was her beautifully sensitive performance at our 2018 Harp on Wight Festival.
Expect original compositions alongside a dynamic array of melodies from ragtime and tangos to Eastern European and Nordic tunes, jigs and reels and renaissance classics. 14:00
Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT |
LILY NEILL was just three years old when she told her family that she was going to play the harp. She even made one for herself from a shoe box and rubber bands! Lily began her music education on the piano yet through her unwavering determination to play the harp she soon became proficient at both instruments. By the time she was thirteen she had won numerous prizes at music competitions. Lily’s teenage years were filled with everything from playing the harp in orchestral premieres to collaborations with dancers and actors, and performances with the legendary Derek Bell and The Chieftains. She performed for President Bill Clinton in Washington D.C. and a decade later across the world played in Moscow for President Mary McAleese at the first ever visit by an Irish Head of State to Russia.
Collaborations with poets, rock n’roll artists, film-makers and dancers have all influenced Lily’s playing and today her solo performances highlight the scope of her musicianship. From North America to Europe and Russia she has mesmerized and delighted listeners. Critics have praised her effortless technique, versatility, and the uniqueness of her style.
Lily has released two solo CDs to strong acclaim: Without Words in
2004 (short-listed for a GRAMMY nomination) and 2011’s The Habit of a Foreign Sky, which captured attention with its dramatic musical range and interpretations of such ‘…staggering beauty that it melts your hard heart.’ Irish American News
Lily earned a 1st Class Honours degree in Irish Music and Dance from the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, and a Master of Music degree from Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Lily’s firm understanding of the harp, coupled with the diversity of her experiences, and an appreciation of music in the broadest sense, have contributed to her wholly rooted yet eminently distinctive and modern sound.
Collaborations with poets, rock n’roll artists, film-makers and dancers have all influenced Lily’s playing and today her solo performances highlight the scope of her musicianship. From North America to Europe and Russia she has mesmerized and delighted listeners. Critics have praised her effortless technique, versatility, and the uniqueness of her style.
Lily has released two solo CDs to strong acclaim: Without Words in
2004 (short-listed for a GRAMMY nomination) and 2011’s The Habit of a Foreign Sky, which captured attention with its dramatic musical range and interpretations of such ‘…staggering beauty that it melts your hard heart.’ Irish American News
Lily earned a 1st Class Honours degree in Irish Music and Dance from the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, and a Master of Music degree from Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Lily’s firm understanding of the harp, coupled with the diversity of her experiences, and an appreciation of music in the broadest sense, have contributed to her wholly rooted yet eminently distinctive and modern sound.
CLOSING EVENT
BETHAN WATSON
HARP-THEMED CANDLELIT DINNER
29/10/2023
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18:30
HARP-THEMED CANDLELIT DINNER MICHELANGELO RESTAURANT 30, St Thomas Street, Ryde PO33 2DL 01983 811966 3 courses Harp-themed Menu £39 Booking essential |
Welsh harpist Bethan Watson is a graduate of the Royal College of Music and Drama where she studied under the guidance of Meinir Heulyn and Valerie Aldrich Smith.
While studying at the RWCMD Bethan was a member of the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and participated in master classes with renowned harpist's such as Isabelle Perrin, Caryl Thomas and Frances Kelly.
Bethan has performed with numerous Orchestras and is happiest when performing with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra. She returned this summer to perform as part of their summer concert series. Bethan is proud to be supporting the Harp on Wight Harp Festival as part of their 10th Anniversary celebrations.
For over twelve years Bethan worked for the World famous harp manufacturer Salvi Harps. After a UK company restructure she embarked on a new challenge by establishing The Harp Studio. In 2019 & 2022 she was awarded dealer of the year by Salvi, Lyon & Healy Harps.
While studying at the RWCMD Bethan was a member of the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and participated in master classes with renowned harpist's such as Isabelle Perrin, Caryl Thomas and Frances Kelly.
Bethan has performed with numerous Orchestras and is happiest when performing with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra. She returned this summer to perform as part of their summer concert series. Bethan is proud to be supporting the Harp on Wight Harp Festival as part of their 10th Anniversary celebrations.
For over twelve years Bethan worked for the World famous harp manufacturer Salvi Harps. After a UK company restructure she embarked on a new challenge by establishing The Harp Studio. In 2019 & 2022 she was awarded dealer of the year by Salvi, Lyon & Healy Harps.
Harp On Wight is sponsored by
Visit Isle of Wight, The UK Harp Association and Wightlink Ferries
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www.harponwight.co.uk |
