Program
Titles and Descriptions Barbara
Ann Fackler harpist www.hornandharp.com 630-665-6098
Each program is both educational and entertaining. Programs include
verbal program notes including history related to the music and its
era. Audience participation is encouraged.
"Harpsichore"
During the Renaissance era many dance manuals were published for social
dancing. The Renaissance harp is the perfect instrument to show off
music from the Terpsichore collection. Playford’s Dancing
Master
and the Orchesographie of Arbeau. The
Wedding Night (demo)
"Irish Music and Its
History"
Through this program, the story of Irish music is told. Music from the
early itinerant harpers to modern Irish music are included, including
the popular ballad Danny
Boy, lullabies, and traditional dance tunes.
"Love Notes"
This compilation of love songs from classical and popular literature
shares music of the great masters of the classical tradition and from
folk music, Broadway, Big Band and current hits. Listen to The
Way You Look Tonight (mp3) or Silberjahr-Ländler
Nr. 2. The program is most often performed on the Renaissance harp.
"Harp Treasures"
The best music in the harp repertoire is that which is composed for
harp by harpists. These composers understand the strengths and
weaknesses of the harp in a way that showcases its very best. This
music sparkles in a way that transcriptions cannot match and includes
the history of harp through the ages.
"Musical Thievery"
Musicians constantly rewrite music for instruments other than those the
composer originally intended. This program includes many popular
transcriptions for harp. Listen to The Flower Duet Song
(from Lakme by Delibes).
"The Musical Side of
American History"
When we think of American history, the last thing we think about is
music. We remember the dates of important events that shaped our
country. We remember the wars fought, discoveries made, the successes
and failures that have shaped us as a nation. As these events unfolded,
music was present in homes, churches and concert halls. From the
beginning of time, music has been a part of every known culture and
often it offers insight into history beyond the mere study of events.
This program follows American history with the music that
would
have been heard as history making events were taking place.
Listen to Hush a Bye and Simple
Gifts (from Pleasantries & Diversions), included in
this program.
"Your Hit Parade"
Your Hit Parade ran from 1935 to 1955 on radio and from 1950 to 1959 on
TV. This program may be presented as a one hour overview, as
a
five part series, each highlighting approximately 5 years of Your Hit
Parade in detail. Songs include White Christmas,
the song that stayed number one on the chart for the most number of
weeks and other favorites like Harbor
Lights, Love Walked In, Blue Tango, Anniversary
Song,
Autumn Leaves, The Glory of Love, The Way You Look Tonight,
and more.
"Tour the World"
Every culture throughout the world's history has had its own version of
the harp. The harps of ancient Egypt were tall, low pitched instruments
while those from Europe were small triangular shapes. This program
includes traditional melodies for harp from around the world including
Ireland, Germany, England, Wales, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, France, and
others. Learn the characteristics of each country's national music
while you tour the world from your seat. Listen
to Greensleeves (from England).
"Dancing Fingers"
There are many lovely and catchy dance tunes in both the classical
literature and folk music from around the world. Some are traditionally
played on the harp while others are easily adapted. Dance forms
including the waltz, landler, hornpipe, jig, habenera, joropo, pavane,
sicilienne, and others fill the air for an hour of music. Audiences go
home feeling like they've been dancing themselves. Listen to Westphalia
Waltz (mp3) which is also included on the CD, Pleasantries
& Diversions.
"Sacred Harp"
J.S. Bach held that "The aim and final reason of all music should be
nothing else but the Glory of God and the refreshment of the Spirit."
Since the days of King David, the harp has been used for worship. This
program presents a selection of favorite hymns such as Simple Gifts, Amazing Grace How Can I Keep From Singing, Jesus Loves Me, Wondrous Love,
and Holy, Holy, Holy
(mp3 demo) arranged especially for harp solo.
"Winter Holiday"
December seems to contain more celebrations than any other month.
“Winter Holiday” brings the celebratory music of
December
together in an hour of music sure to please everyone. Drawing music
from countries all over the globe, we’ll see how other
cultures
celebrate winter, New Year, Christmas and Hannukah along with other
seasonal music including classical selections, popular folk songs and
some from the Hit Parade. Listen to Still,
Still, Still, a German carol and to The Snow
It Melts the Soonest (from my CD), both included in this
program.
"Thoughts of Spring"
Whether you schedule this program to welcome spring or to ward off the
doldrums of winter, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Classical
and popular music includes many references to spring flowers and
weather and we’ll sample everything from
Vivaldi’s Spring
to April
Showers as we celebrate
all the elements of spring together through music.
“The
Seasons"
There are many illusions to the change of seasons in music.
From
Louis Armstrong’s hit, A
Wonderful World to movie
themes, folk tunes and classical music there’s something for
everyone as we celebrate summer, fall, winter and spring together.
“Songs of
America"
Songs of America brings familiar and not so familiar music together in
a way that leaves audiences humming. A clever combination of history
and music, this program is sure to interest the history buff and those
who love music. America's musicians have sung about
geography, politics, hopes, dreams, patriotism and more.
Listen to Simple Gifts, a true American
classic Shaker tune (mp3)
Programs made to order
Programs can be created to fit any theme. If you don’t see a
program here that fits your event, please ask for a program made to
order.
