 |
Preview Page:
This is a sample of one of the detailed Score information pages
which will soon be available at www.davidwatkins.info
Click the Score
title "A Welsh Landscape" to open the panel
Tirlun
Cymreig
A Welsh Landscape
A Welsh Landscape is dedicated to Rosalind Sharples. Painter, poet and harpist, Rosalind and her husband, the sculptor Chris Sharples, live in one of the most beautiful parts of Pembrokeshire. Surrounded by the ancient Ty Canol woods, whose canopies shade the greenest of moss-covered stones, this paradise is dominated by Mynydd Carningli, known as the 'Mountain of Angels'. The countryside around is filled with traces of prehistoric settlements, standing stones and ancient burial sites like the megalithic cromlech of Pentre Ifan. Close lies the sea at Newport. It was this landscape which inspired this suite of pieces, and I hope it will be the first of many inspired by the magic of Wales.
RRP £6.50
Available from all good harps stores - Available on line from Creightons Collections
Performance Notes
INTERLUDE 1 Adagio (35 seconds)
The beginning is peaceful (Moonlight on the sea), and the
crescendo towards the end makes one aware of the temperamental
and heaving sea. The glissandos are 'free' throughout.
Bars 1- 6: When played on harps with only 43 or 44 strings,
the bottom 7Eb, which is unavailable, will be eliminated.
Play 6Eb only.
Pedals should be moved exactly where indicated.
DAWN (20 seconds)
The sun rises out of the sea and we are transported to the
woods at Ty Canol.
INTO THE FOREST (80 seconds)
An early morning gallop. Rosalind gallops joyfully through
the magical countryside.
Bars 21-24 and bars 42-46: the awkward 'leap' in the left
hand may be avoided by repeating the first half of the bar
at the same pitch, or leaving it out.
Bars 25-41: some harpists may prefer to reverse the hand
position, playing the notes in the upper stave with the left
hand and the notes in the lower stave with the right hand.
INTERLUDE 2 Seascape (35 seconds)
As in Interlude 1. When played on harps with 43 or 44 strings,
omit bottom 7Eb octave in the left hand. Play only 6Eb.
Pedals to be moved exactly where indicated.
DAVID OF THE WHITE ROCK (125 seconds)
This melody is one of the most moving and memorable from
the musical heritage of Wales. The dying harpist, David,
asks his family to bring his harp so that he can touch
it for the last time. An angel appears to him, telling
him to play the harp during his last journey. The rising
figuration in the second verse accompanies David's soul
as it rises to heaven.
When played as a separate solo, this arrangement may be played
in A minor.
INTERLUDE 3 Seascape (35 seconds)
As in Interludes 1 and 2 omit bottom 7Eb when played on harps
with 43 or 44 strings. Glissandos should be 'free'. Pedals
to be moved exactly where indicated.
THE MILLER'S SONG (75 seconds)
In this joyful song, the miller catalogues all those delightful
possessions which will make him irresistible to a prospective
wife. The hypnotic harmony and rhythm suggest the mill
wheel turning.
Audio Sample
coming soon:
From the forthcoming CD The Triumph of
Time - Volume 2 by David Watkins
Due for release Summer 2008