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The Twisting of the Rope - Nyckelharpa Music (2009)
The Nyckelharpa or "keyed fiddle" is a distinctively Swedish instrument with a history dating back to the 1400s. With its layer if sympathetic strings and rich alto-tenor voice, the nyckelharpa's unearthly hypnotic tone inevitably captivates and enchants listeners of this magical instrument. In TWISTING OF THE ROPE, Aryeh cross pollinates the haunting and otherworldly sound of the Swedish Nyckelharpa with evocative and universally appealing Celtic melodies to create a delightful and moving collection of heart-wearming instrumental music.
I first encountered the nyckelharpa in 1996 when I traveled to Sweden to play the harp at a music festival. Although immediately enchanted, I did not purchase one until 2005 whereupon it languished for several years until I decided to use it when on a short tour with my partner Lisa Lynne in 2007. We then used it generously in our recording TWO WORLDS ONE and the instrument has since become a regular part of my performances.
Encouraged by its reception, I decided to make another recording featuring the nyckelharpa.
Now, although it is still somewhat a rare instrument in the U.S., it is in fact moderately popular nowadays in Sweden and has migrated well into the European folk scene. Wonderful and amazing players and numerous nyckelharpa CDs abound, especially of Swedish folk music for which the instrument was intended. So, while I wanted to showcase the instrument, my premise was not to display myself as a nyckelharpa virtuoso but rather simply as a musician who fell in love with the instrument ands wished to express himself through it. I thus decided to record some well-beloved Celtic melodies with which I was long familiar and which I felt would not only showcase the nyckelharpa's bewitching timbre but just importantly be enjoyed independently of the instrument itself. This is the result. I hope you enjoy!
Program:
1. The Twisting of the Rope - mp3
2. Ae Find Kiss
3. Aye Waukin O'
4. Martin Wynne's Air
5. Eleanor Plunkett
6. Long Dance
7. In a Garden So Green
8. Mull of the Mountains
10. Pavane
11. Bridget O'Malley
12. Lo, How the Rose E're Blomming
13. She Moved Through the Faire - mp3
Program Length: 58 minutes
To hear excerpts of all the tracks of this album click here: The Twisting of the Rope. You will see little musical notes to the right of each song. Click on the notes and hear a clip of the song.
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