Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher holds Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Music degrees in Vocal Music. Initially trained as a classical vocalist and pianist, she began her harp studies after moving to Upstate New York and has since followed a multi-faceted career path. Her harp playing has taken her from the most formal orchestral concerts to very intimate chamber performances wearing historical costume. Her vibrant singing voice has been heard in numerous stage productions, recitals, concerts and competitions in the United States and abroad. In addition to being a well-known arranger whose harp publications are sold internationally, she is an experienced choral conductor, concert organizer, arts advocate, music journalist and music educator. She gives private instruction at her home in piano, voice and harp and performs extensively in the Northeastern U.S.A. Darhon also pursues her interest in healing as a registered nurse.
The Kings Bard
$18.00
Welsh airs used in this publication were collected by Edward Jones (1751-1824), harper to King George IV. Jones was born in North Wales and in about 1775 moved to London where he enjoyed a nearly 50-year career as composer, arranger, performer and teacher. He also collected rare books, manuscripts and musical instruments.
Jones was a prolific collector and arranger of melodies and is best remembered for his three-volume work called Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1784-1802). In the original editions, there was minimal editing and figured bass indications appear throughout. I have adapted Jone arrangements and made suitable adjustments for lever harp. While the original versions were listed as suitable for harp, piano-forte, or harpsichord, they actually strongly resembled triple-harp writing.
These airs (in their original keys) have been placed in progressive key order to create a satisfying Welsh ie ha faciliae leer and pedal changes. Lever changes are indicated between the staves and pedal changes beneath the bass staff. The minimum range needed to play all of the airs in this collection exactly as written is 27 strings (C-A); however, all but three of the airs can be played on a harp with no more than 26 strings (C-G). Guitar chords are included so that the right-hand melody may be played by any C instrument, accompanied by chords on harp, lute, guitar or keyboard.
