A message from Elinor Bennett, the Festival’s Artistic Director:
The aim of this year’s Wales Harp Festival is to remember and pay homage to the great harpists whom we have recently lost and to transmit their love of the harp to future generations.
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of the Honorary President of this Festival, Osian Ellis, one of Wales’ greatest harpists and musicians. During the past year, two other illustrious harpists passed away – Ann Griffiths and Mair Jones – who taught generations of children to play the harp. We thank them and remember their contribution to the culture of Wales and to the music of the harp internationally.
In “normal” times during Easter, dozens of harpists of every age would descend upon Galeri Caernarfon with their harps, and would have lessons in classes, listen to other harpists, socialise and play music together. Covid will not prevent us from keeping the tradition alive, and the Festival will be transferred online to a new virtual reality.
Thanks to Zoom, our teachers will be able to share their expertise with harpists and harp enthusiasts in every corner of the globe. There will be many events ( classes, concert, master class, lecture) to help us remember the Festival’s past President, Osian Ellis, including the premier of his beautiful new piece, “Lachrymae”, published last year .
Our aim is to ensure that ” the eternal muse” is passed on to future generations and In the middle of our troubles, the harp and its music can raise spirits and enrich lives.
We warmly invite harpists and harp lovers from every part of the world to join us here in Wales – virtually this time of course, but next year in person! Read about the Festival events – and click on “register” straight away!
