»» credits »»
Engineered and mastered by Fionán de Barra
Photography & sleeve design by Tim Jarvis
Recorded in Dublin December 2004 to May 2005 except tracks 1 & 11 taken from Barcó and track 7 from Le Peuple Magique (Francoise Cornwell of Coop Breiz)
Anne-Marie plays a 38-string Salvi Livia Irish harp and Salvi Diana pedal harp.
Cormac plays a 38-string Salvi Egan Irish harp, Salvi Aurora pedal harp and Salvi Aida Irish harp.
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1. George Brabazon & Planxty Hewlett O’Carolan, arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
Two musical toasts reflecting Carolan’s fondness for enjoying whiskey in the company of his friends and patrons.

2. Recuerdos de la Alhambra Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909) transcribed for harp by A.M.O’Farrell
This well-known guitar piece transcribes well for harp and evokes a memory of the fourteenth century Moorish Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain.

3. An dTiocfaidh Tú Abhaile Liom? & Port Chúil Aodha arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
Cormac learned this pair of jigs from his brother, flute player Éamonn De Barra. The title of the first tune means ‘Will You Come Home with Me?’ and Cúil Aodha is a town in the Cork Gaeltacht.

4. Passacaglia for Two Harps (1989, rev. 1994) A.M.O’Farrell
Bach’s Passacaglia in C minor for organ BWV582 inspired this treatment of a ground bass by the French composer Raison, performed here on two Irish harps.

5. The Humours of Ballyconnell & The Graf Spey arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
Cormac learned the first of these two reels from the eminent harper Janet Harbison, and the second from Máire Ní Chathasaigh. It shows our indebtedness to the oral tradition of dance music on the Irish harp initiated by these two fine musicians.

6. Caisleán Uí Néill trad. arr. C. De Barra
A song of unrequited love and broken promises often sung by Cormac’s grandmother and harp teacher, Róisín Ní Sheaghdha, to whom this track is dedicated.

7. Song of the Chanter & Allistrum’s March arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
These marches are both originally from the Bunting Collection. Allistrum’s March was composed in 1647 for the Scottish highlander Alasdair MacAllistrum who fought the English alongside the Irish at the Battle of Knockinoss.

8. The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba G.F.Händel (1685–1759), arr. A.M.O’Farrell This is an arrangement for two Irish harps of the lively orchestral sinfonia which announces the arrival of the Queen of Sheba in Handel’s oratorio Solomon (1748). The main theme is borrowed from an aria in Giovanni Porta’s opera Numitore.
9. Chanson dans la Nuit Carlos Salzedo (1885–1961)
Better known as a solo piece, this setting as a duet by the composer illustrates the many colourful effects which he pioneered in his harp writing. It is in three parts which describe awakening from a dream, the apparition of a Spanish dancer in the middle section, and slowly falling asleep once more. With characteristic attention to detail, the composer opens the piece with a bar’s rest.

10. Miss MacDermott & Lady Gethin arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
The first of these airs is also known as the Princess Royal and is found in the Bunting collection. Little is known for definite about the second tune but it is attributed to Carolan.

11. The Gander in the Pratie Hole & The Queen of the Rushes arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
We learned these two jigs from the inspirational harper Máire Ní Chathasaigh. Go raibh maith agat, a Mháire!

12. Farewell to Music T.O’Carolan (1670–1738), arr. O’Farrell
This arrangement explores the harmonic possibilities in this beautiful melody, and is a musical reflection on loss. In its original form, it is said to have been O’Carolan’s final composition.

13. The Tailor’s Twist and The Spey in Spate arr. O’Farrell/De Barra
The first of these tunes is a hornpipe passed onto Cormac by his uncle Seán Ó Tuama and the second is a Scottish tune which Anne-Marie got from the wonderful harpist Catriona McKay. We play a third part to this tune which Anne-Marie composed when the second part evaded her at a concert once upon a time.

ANNE-MARIE O'FARRELL & CORMAC DE BARRA
Dublin-born Anne-Marie O'Farrell studied harp with Nancy Calthorpe, Helen Davies, Sheila Larchet Cuthbert and Mercedes Garvey. She holds diplomas in many instruments and a first class honours MA in Composition.  Her unique levering techniques on the Irish harp and her commitment to the development of its repertoire have led to performances throughout Europe, the USA, Scandinavia and Japan.  As harpist, composer and pedagogue she is regularly invited to present at international festivals.

Cormac De Barra comes from a family of traditional Irish musicians and singers and first studied harp with his grandmother in Dublin. He also studied concert harp in the USA leading to performances and radio/TV appearances in Ireland, France and as far away as Japan. He is currently touring with Moya Brennan, the voice of the world-famous group, Clannad , and with Barcó , a family trio of Cormac and his brothers Fionán and Éamonn. He has also been touring with singer and actress Hazel O'Connor since 1998.

As Ireland's foremost harp duo Cormac and Anne-Marie have been playing together for over a decade.  Their presentations reflect the marriage of Ireland's oral musical heritage and the classical tradition. Highlights of their Irish performances include an appearance at the Beó Festival in the National Concert Hall and the World Harp Congress in Dublin.  International performances include recitals at the European Harp Symposium in Amsterdam and Lyon, and the inaugural concert of the Irish Cultural Centre, Paris.  They have made numerous appearances on radio and television in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe.