SKU: A0.1174114

A four-minute haunting duet for flute and harp.  Generally modal/melodic accessible music.  There are some more advanced rhtyhms and high passages in the flute, and Bach-like runs in the harp that will require practice for intermediate musicians.  

The flute goes from low C to the B an octave above the treble cleff (but, only one 3-measure passage goes above the D above the treble cleff).

The harp part can be played on a pedal harp or, with a little effort, on a lever harp.  It starts in two flats, there's a middle section with F#s (with time to switch levers - the sheet music indicates some bass notes that can be skipped to flip levers), and the end adds Ab (which will require two levers flipped by reaching over with the right hand - unusual, but not too awkward with practice).  The lowest note in the harp is the G below the bass cleff (however, all notes below the bass cleff are octave doublings and could be ignored on a smaller harp), and the highest is the D above the treble cleff.

SKU: A0.804018

Joyful Jigs is a medley of two joyful, upbeat Irish Jigs. It begins and ends with Joys of Wedlock. Sandwiched in the middle is The Joy of My Life (Donnybrook Fair). At times neither instrument has the melody as the instruments intertwine in a Celtic Jig style. Playable o Lever or Pedal Harps, you will receive the Score, plus separate Harp and Flute Parts.

SKU: A0.912915

A great piece to show off the talents of mature flute and lever harp performers, this colorful character piece is appropriate for any recital or concert setting. Mannanàn mac Lir occupied several roles in the mythological universe of the Celtic peoples. Most notably, he was considered to be the god of the seas. He was also regarded as a psychopomp-that is, a figure associated with the realm of the dead, acting as a sort of veil between the worlds. In this work, I play on his connection to the sea by quoting the traditional Manx folk tune The Storm Is Up (Callin Veg Dhoan). The tune is developed through several permutations, each portraying a role Mannanàn played. Each movement is ushered to us by a psychopomp veil. With the Churl in the Drab Coat refers to Mannanàn’s association with the trickster figure Bodach an Chota Lachtna. The movement is erratic yet impishly playful. Mannanàn was also regarded as a sort of magician king. In that respect, he was given the role of Guardian of Mag Mell, a place that is comparable to the Nordic conception of Valhalla. Mag Mell was a plain of joy, a kingdom under the sea for a select few. Mannanàn protected this realm with the help of Fragarach, a sword which could slice through any armor and could compel anyone to tell the truth. This movement is bold and heavy in spirit, gradually becoming more dissonant as if portraying an ugly battle to defend this beautiful place. The final veil transports us to the end of times, a fading away of the once-great pantheon. That storm, as all must do, comes to a quiet, peaceful end. Learn more about me at bnelsonmusic.wordpress.com.