0c Fair
Music Festival
CATRIN Finch will be among the stars playing at the second Wales International Harp festival this spring, which will see hundreds of musicians from across the globe descend on Caernarfon.
The festival, on April 4-10, also celebrates the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of Wales’ greatest harp players, John Parry, born in Nefyn in 1710.
Known as the blind harpist of Ruabon, his patron was the wealthy second Sir Watkin Williams Wynn.
Festival director, renowned harpist Elinor Bennett, said: “It will provide an opportunity for the present generation of young players to perform new music with some of the best harpists in the world in classes, concerts and in competitions.
“Five competitions will be held to encourage every level of harp playing – from beginner to the young professional.”
First prize in the Chief Musician contest – open to under 30s – is a beautiful £20,000 Grand Concert Harp, while a Celtic harp will be first prize for the non-pedal competition.
Both prizes are courtesy of festival sponsors Camac Harps of France.
For the first time in Europe, there will be a competition for players of the amplified Pop Harp. There is no age limit for this category, and contestants can play any kind of harp and perform music from jazz, rock or blues to folk. This competition will be held late at night in Galeri, Caernarfon, after concerts and other events have finished.
Guest performers include Catrin Finch, who will play alongside France’s leading harpist, Isabelle Perrin.
Deborah Henson-Conant, jazz harpist, story-teller and composer from the USA, will perform new music with young harpists and musicians from Gwynedd and Anglesey.
Rhodri Davies will premiere his new work called Harp Feedback, with weird and wonderful electronic sounds emanating from a harp and a camera within the sound box.
Constance Luzzati, winner of the Chief Musician in the inaugural contest, in 2006, will be returning, along with Russia’s young player Artemy Izmaylov, from St Petersburg.
Ms Bennett added: “There are many talented, hard working and promising young harpists in Wales and I hope many of them will come to Caernarfon to compete and receive advice from some of the best harpists in the world.
“Older harpists can also compete in the categories for Triple and non-pedal harps, and in the new exciting competition for the electric Pop Harp.
“I hope teachers will encourage their pupils to enter in the next few days and take advantage of the fact a wonderful harp event will happen right here in North Wales.”
