Evolving Harps
Evolving Harps is a Harp Ireland podcast series following the musical journeys of some of our best known emerging Irish harpers. Discover the unique versatility of the Irish harp, and hear from harpers pushing the boundaries of our almost 1000 year-old harping tradition.
The podcasts are recorded, edited and produced by Niamh O’Brien on behalf of Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland. The contributors’ views are their own and CÉHI does not take responsibility for personal opinions shared on the podcast.
Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland is supported by The Arts Council, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and The Heritage Council.
Episode 1 BRÍDÍN
Brídín is a contemporary folk singer, composer and harper. She began her musical journey at home in her musical household, and later under the tutorage of celebrated harper and teacher Gráinne Hambly. After studying music at UCC she pursued a musical career alongside her day job as a funeral director and embalmer. Brídín’s musical style is rooted in traditional Irish music but also draws upon contemporary composition using loop pedal. Her debut album ‘Brídín’ was released last year.
Episode 2 Donnchadh Mac Aodha
Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a 21-year old composer and multi-instrumentalist from Dundalk, Co.Louth. As both a traditional and classical musician, Donnchadh finds himself most at home at the interface of these genres and allows his bi-musical upbringing to influence his compositional output. In recent years, he has been heavily influenced by contemporary classical techniques which he weaves into his expanding compositional language. In particular, he is drawn to the Irish language and deals with ideas of belonging and identity in his music. He was recently awarded the Iain MacLeoid Young Composer Award, having previously won prizes for composition at the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival & New Ross Piano Festival. In August 2023, Donnchadh was a resident composer at the ‘Ostrava Days’ New Music Festival, where his string quartet “I had no time to hate, because” was performed by Quartetto Prometeo.
Episode 3 Siobhan Brady
Siobhan Brady comes from Limerick in Ireland. She has graduated with a first-class honours Bachelor of Music from MTU Cork School of Music where she specialised in harp performance studying under Anne-Marie Papin Labazordiere. In April 2018, She was awarded first place in two international harp competitions at the North London Music Festival. As a result of this, she was approached to join a team from the Highest Concert team to travel to the Himalayas in India and establish a new Guinness World Record which was awarded in January 2020 for the Highest Altitude Harp Performance in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The Guinness World Record-breaking Highest Harp Concert was performed at 5000m on the 6th of September 2018 just above the summit of Singla pass on the Himalayas in the Ladakh region of India. In doing so, the project raised £20K in funds and increased awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, using music and altitude.
