Anna McLuckie
voice, Harp | UK
Artist profile: https://makingtracksmusic.org/artists/anna-mcluckie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annamcluckie
Harp
The harp that once through Tara’s halls
The soul of music shed,
Now hangs as mute on Tara’s walls
As if that soul were fled.
So sleeps the pride of former days,
So glory’s thrill is o’er,
And hearts that once beat high for praise,
Now feel that pulse no more!
No more to chiefs and ladies bright
The harp of Tara swells;
The chord alone that breaks at night,
Its tale of ruin tells.
Thus Freedom now so seldom wakes,
The only throb she gives
Is when some heart indignant breaks,
To show that still she lives.
Thomas Moore (1779 – 1852)
Anna’s story
Let’s meet Anna! She’s a talented musician from Edinburgh, known for her skills as a vocalist and clàrsach (Celtic harp) player. Anna leads her own indie folk ensemble and plays in a dream pop band called Diving Station.
In addition to performing, Anna is deeply involved in her community, working with various charities and organizations in Manchester and London. She leads music workshops and ensembles, helping others explore their love of music. She’s also a lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, where she teaches popular music.
Origin and history bits
This year’s Making Tracks hosts Anna with her wonderful instrument played throughout the UK from the earliest times - the Scottish clàrsach or cláirseach, also known as Celtic harp. Dating back to the 8th century, clàrsach was the main instrument of the Gaelic courts until the bagpipe took its place in the 15th century.
Since its name is Gaelic, and by proximity connected to Ireland, it has assumed the status of the 'Ancient National Instrument' (you can find mentions and carvings of the harp and its players in Pictish stones and epic Gaelic poetry). Early harpists were professionals who devoted their lives to perfecting the art of playing. Although we have no records of written music, we can hear about it through ballads and poetry.
Later it became more representative of the folk culture with tales and myths connecting its presence to the spiritual realm. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it slowly experienced a decline due to social and political changes, but its endurance and resilience made it a symbolic representation of the pride of the Irish and Scots.
Playing techniques have been passed from one generation to another, primarily through oral tradition or harpists traveling to spread their skills to interested youngsters. In the 1970s, the Celtic harp rose again through research of the repertoire and technique, which led us to witness its new, exciting future!
Anatomy of the instrument
The Celtic harp through history experienced its evolution not only in the invention of levers but also by experimenting with different kinds of materials used for its strings such as brass, copper alloys, silver, and gold (that’s why we also call it a wire-harp).
The clàrsach is also called a lever harp. That means that Anna is using levers when she wants to make semitone alterations which lead to the key changes. If you recall the classical harp, you can see the difference where the classical one uses pedals for the same purpose.
The strings which are commonly plucked with fingernails are attached to a soundbox, often carved from a single piece of wood, traditionally willow.
Interesting facts
are you enchanted by clàrsach's sounds? I’ll tell you what, this is a magical instrument and rewarding to learn, the best part is that it’s impossible to sound bad even though you’re just starting!
the earliest surviving clàrsach is the 15th century, Lamont Harp, which is currently displayed in the National Museum of Scotland so be sure to visit when you’re there
The Celtic harp has a name in each dialect of the countries where it is indigenous: Brittany (‘telenn’), Scotland (‘clarsach’), Wales (‘telyn’), and Ireland (‘clairsech’)
being the national emblem of Ireland it regularly appears on official documents, coins, and even the Presidential Seal
in Irish mythology, the harp is associated with the legendary bard and warrior Oisín, son of the warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill - his instrument, also known as the Harp of the Dagda possessed magical qualities which included inspiring courage, soothing hearts, and even calming the tides
If you like this instrument check this out
Artists to explore
Derek Bell (The Chieftains)
Moya Brennan (Clannad)
Sources
https://www.clarsachsociety.co.uk/the-clarsach/what-is-a-clarsach/
https://www.wirestrungharp.com/harps/harpers/mapping-clarsach/
https://www.connollycove.com/the-irish-harp-melodic-history-and-culture/
Watch the film Growing Into Music (2012) by Making Tracks advisory board member Lucy Durán, which explores how children in diverse cultures from different parts of the world acquire musical skills and knowledge.
