Friday 22 November 2019

Two Harps (Some Music For Friday)

You may have seen the man on the left on this blog a few months ago. His name is Seckou Keita and he was part of the group of musicians presenting the song-cycle "The Lost Words" at Folk By The Oak at Hatfield House. That instrument he's playing is the West African kora, a kind of harp with a cowhide stretched over a gourd to act as a soundbox. Seckou's instrument has been modified by having a neck with western-style tuning pegs.

Since then I've seen him again, collaborating with the Irish accordion player, Sharon Shannon. And that's fairly typical of this tall, smiling man. After studying traditional kora-playing with his uncle, Solo Cissoko, Seckou has made a speciality of getting together with musicians from all over the world.

It's a mark of his undoubted musical skill and charm that all these cross-cultural fusions have produced excellent and worthwhile music. But how about if he got together with someone from a very different harping background?


(a screenshot from YouTube video)
You may have heard of Catrin Finch before too. In the year 2000 she became the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales and was in all the English (and presumably Welsh) newspapers. There was also a TV documentary about her entitled Charlie's Angel ! Even before that she had become the youngest person ever to appear at the Proms, playing the harp as a member of the National Youth Orchestra, aged just 10.

She plays both the traditional harp music of Wales and the classical repertoire. And of course she collaborates wonderfully with Seckou Keita, with whom she's released two CDs. At a time when the world is obsessed with controlling the movement of people, it seems more important than ever that we celebrate the beauty that arises when differing cultures collide.

I'm hoping to catch a live performance by the duo when they tour next year, but until then I'll have to make do with their recorded music and some sublime performances on YouTube. Do yourself a favour and set aside ten minutes of your life to listen to the two harps that beat as one.



(With thanks to Robin Andrea and Roger over at The New Dharma Bums for the inspiration to share some music every Friday).

Take care,


20 comments:

  1. I find the music "quite pleasant," liked scrambled eggs, something you enjoy once in a while but you wouldn't want every day.

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  2. Mr Keita has such a lovely face, he looks like he is enjoying every minute ✨

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  3. Exquisite - wonderful music and incredible time keeping to be so 'together' all of the time.

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  4. My sister is learning the harp. Wonderful!

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  5. Wonderful music to start my day with...I'll be humming the melody all day I'm sure. They sure did a great job playing together. In the beginning I couldn't hear Seckou's playing too well, so was glad that he was featured in the mix later.

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  6. I love the harp and so admire the talent of its player.

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  7. This is so beautiful. I am listening as I type this and I'm so grateful to being introduced to such a sound. Yes, two harps that beat as one. Thank you.

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  8. Wonderful music. The harp creates a beautiful sound.

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  9. Beautiful! This is a wonderful collaboration!

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  10. Wonderful. It must take years to learn that harp.
    I enjoyed that so much, thank you.
    Briony
    x

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  11. What a treat!! I've never heard of a kora, but it's totally cool looking, and he's clearly a master of the instrument. The blending of the harp and kora is wonderful.

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  12. Oh, oh, oh....so love this! It is wonderful!

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  13. It is a surprising that a Welsh harp and a West African kora works so well together. They make a really pleasing combination.

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  14. How beautiful, thank you for sharing this lovely music:)

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  15. yes, John, thanks for sharing this music as I was unfamiliar with these artists and this was a wonderful musical treat. I hope you do get to see them in concert.

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  16. Here's another "thank you" John! This is wonderful music. His kora is so beautifully decorated. I'm glad to know they have some cds out, and I shall look for them to download as well. I appreciate all the background information on the artists -- you've done a splendid post.

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  17. Combining the two talents is so beautiful!

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  18. Pretty! An interesting musical blend of cultures.

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  19. That gives a different but pleasant sound.

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