13th Stamford International Harp Festival

28th-29th August 2010

The 14th Stamford Harp Festival weekend was a great success.
One of the finest weekends of harp playing we have ever staged.
Two sell-out concerts and a day of master classes, together with teaching of the highest standard, left us eagerly looking forward to next year.

Heather Wrighton

Thank you to all those who helped us create these events.

Especially to:
Cllr. Peter Hiller PCC and Nick Penny for donations.

Maeve Lowings
Polly Beasley and the St Andrews Church Ladies Group
Michelle Anderson,
The Ladies group & Church Wardens of Thorney Abbey
Keith Jobling Website
Jennifer Sturdy Administration
Neil Fallows Roadie

Players:
Ismael Ledesma
Keith Beechey
Mark Harmer
Heather Wrighton
The Peterborough Morris Men
Cristobal Pedersen
Paraguayan Dancers: Graciella & Alexandra
And the audiences who come from afar to support the music.

See two examples of the weekend`s exquisite harp playing, by Mark Harmer:
FRIDAY 26th August Thorney Abbey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okIgZ9wELcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ict1WfPKlzE&feature=related

Report:

The opening concert was held on
Friday at Thorney Abbey,
to inaugurate their bi-annual flower festival. The church was stunningly decorated, helped by the local Fire brigade, and the perfume from the flowers was a delight creating a perfect backdrop for a wonderful concert.

Mark Harmer, the most viewed Internet harpist, played his Celtic harp in the first half, specialising in his new arrangements of the music of O'Carolan and with lovely anecdotes about the Irish blind harpist.

The second half was devoted to the playing of the world famous Paraguayan harpist, Ismael Ledesma. Ismael, now living in Paris is a composer and player of tremendous diversity. The audience was captivated by his performance and his musical passion and French-style charm connected perfectly with the English audience here.

Saturday was intentionally less-structured but participants were encouraged to arrange lessons, attend two workshops, or jam sessions, as they wished.
This proved to be a very popular move for the average-to-better harpers, particularly as it is rare that good players meet socially in such a way.

Sunday 28 August brought the, by now, keenly anticipated evening concert in Northborough Church. We were able to present a wide variety of harp music, which was rapturously received by a capacity audience. The feeling of anticipation amongst the audience who know that this concert will always be utterly new and different each year, was truly electric.

The evening began with the young classical harpist, Heather Wrighton, still studying at the Royal Academy of Music, but making a name for herself as a talented player.
Keith Beechey then entertained the audience with a selection of traditional English pieces.
Then a new departure: two lovely Paraguayan dancers performed to traditional music played by Cristobal Pedersen.
They were followed in contrast by the very English traditional dancing of the Peterborough Morris Men, accompanied by an impromptu band of many harpists.

After a diverse first half, and delicious refreshments provided by the church ladies, Ismael Ledesma took to the stage, and once again, brought the house down with his amazingly varied programme of his music played on the Paraguayan harp.

Please contact us at any time.