Summer weddings, and being in the audience at the Fringe

Today I was playing at Dunglass Estate again - the second time in as many weeks. It's quite an unusual venue, surrounded by an open, uncluttered landscape. The collegiate church (the old stone chapel where wedding ceremonies are held) isn't quite open to the elements - there is a roof to hold off any rain, but there's no door, nor any glass in any of the windows, so it has a great inside-yet-outside feel to it - very atmospheric. And the occasional fluttering breeze meant I was pleased I had bulldog clips with me in my briefcase, so I could secure my music to its stand, just in case!

            Getting ready before the guests arrive. Dunglass Estate, Cockburnspath. August 2016

A lovely touch today was the old-fashioned Rolls Royce ice-cream van that greeted guests as they exited the ceremony. Perfect for a summer wedding - and not something I've seen before.

On another theme, This is the first time in many years that I haven't been involved in a series of concerts or theatre performances at the Edinburgh Fringe. We recently moved house and so I decided to pass this year, although the harp and voice recitals at St Columba's, just down from Edinburgh Castle, have been a regular part of my musical year for a long time. And I can't believe it's already a year since the memorable 'from-scratch' performance of my piece for choir and harp A Moment of Eternity (2012) in the iconic St John's Church on Princes Street, and also a year since Tembu Rongong's beautiful rendering of my 5 pieces for baritone and piano, at the premiere of my song cycle, Dappled Things (2015).

This summer however I got to be a member of the audience for a change: I went to a great Fringe concert in Edinburgh's Royal Overseas League a couple of nights ago. The super-talented London-based harpist Oliver Wass was joined by young international musicians in a lovely concert of French music. Oliver played two pieces by Ravel, both of which were originally written for piano, but which sounded gorgeous on the harp. The rest of the programme featured piano, flute and violin pieces from Debussy and Saint-Saens. And there was a glass of wine included. What more can you ask for? Thank you Oliver for your beautiful playing. Hopefully you'll be back in Scotland for another concert in 2017. 

Peacocks at Presonfield

Have you ever heard the sound a peacock makes? If not, it's difficult to describe: something between a squawk and a car horn. Despite having played there literally dozens of times, the distinctive cries of the avian inhabitants of Prestonfield House never fail to astonish me.

Today's wedding was beautiful: glorious sunshine and my clarsach, along with the chairs for the ceremony, set out on the lawns, in the dappled shade of a huge tree. The drinks reception which followed took place up on the balcony which leads off from the Tapestry Room, at the front of the venue. 

During the ceremony the lovely wee flower-girls ran around amongst the guests. They carried several framed photographs of the couple, which they showed to the bride and groom's friends. The pictures tied in with the story the of how the couple had met, and their journey together so far. This was so much more intimate than a slideshow or powerpoint could ever be - a really lovely touch which I haven't seen before.

During the wedding today I had an idea to have a regular slot in this blog: sharing recent comments about my playing that have either moved me, or made me laugh. Here goes:

Most touching recent comments:
"Your music took me back 25 years to my own wedding day"
and, from a lovely elderly lady, "Both my mother and my sister (who are no longer with us) played the harp; and it was so lovely to hear the beautiful sound of the instrument again."

Most entertaining recent comment:
"It would have been an even better effect if you had played your harp from up that tree."
(I couldn't think of an answer to that one....)

Thanks for reading,
Hannah

Hannah's Recent Harpenings

Performing Update:

Last Thursday night it was great to be part of the Charity Variety Performance in Bonnyrigg, in aid of Coeliac UK and the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association.

It was a chilly evening as I arrived with my clarsach, but it was warm and welcoming within the church - a packed house. It was a snug fit for the performers too, but I felt very relaxed sitting on stage waiting my turn, tapping my foot and enjoying the other first half acts: the Can't Help Singing choir, the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Brass Band, and in particular the brilliant Matthew Maclennan on his accordion. 

I played two sets, interspersing well-known tunes such as 'My Love is Like a Red Red Rose' and 'Skye Boat Song' with less familiar Scottish melodies and also some O'Carolan favourites.

Composing Update:

The chamber orchestra version of my 2016 score 'This is My Beloved' is now complete. I have been engrossed in the writing of this work since mid 2014. It has undergone quite a few changes in that time (including a change of title). Watch this space for details of future performances.

In terms of new projects, I have had an idea for an historically-themed piece for children's choir and piano. Nothing on paper yet, but again, watch this space.