Turlough O'Carolan

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Turlough Carolan - painting by JC Trimball (1844)

Turlough O'Carolan , Irish Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin , contemporary pronunciation probably [ ˈtɔɾʲʝəl̪uːx oː ˈkʲaɾuːl̪ɑːnʲ ] (* 1670 in County Meath ; † March 25, 1738 in Ballyfarnon , County Roscommon ), was an Irish composer and harp player .

Life

In 1684 he moved with his family to County Roscommon , where his father, a simple farmer, found a job with Mrs. McDermott Roe. He contracted smallpox at the age of 18 and went blind. Since O'Carolan could not work blind , Mrs. McDermott sponsored him to study the harp for three years. Because of his age, he had difficulties mastering the instrument perfectly and shifted his activity more to composing. His works were influenced by both traditional Irish music and court European baroque music . With over 200 traditional compositions, he is still considered Ireland's greatest national composer . Only one of his songs is written in English.

He created the word Planxty ( plancstaí ) that appeared in his songs back then. The "Planxtys" are musical greetings that stem from the fact that O'Carolan, like all harp players, roamed the country and played his music in various rich households. As a thank you for special kindness, he dedicated thank you songs to the hosts (or ladies) and immortalized them with his music (e.g. Planxty Irwin, Planxty Plunkett, Planxty Fanny Poer, Planxty Burke, Planxty Maggie Brown).

Turlough Carolan - plaque in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland

O'Carolan is buried in Keadue Cemetery, County Roscommon, where a harp festival is held annually in July.

reception

More recently, Turlough O'Carolan became among other things the 2011 published novel for young people Saeculum of Ursula Poznanski awareness. In the plot of the book, which actually takes place in the Middle Ages, several of his songs are quoted, including Planxty Drew.

Works

Some well-known compositions by O'Carolan:

  • Mrs. Anne Mac Dermott Roe, Princess Royal McDermott
  • Welcome
  • Farewell to Music ( Slán le Ceol )
  • Planxty Lady Wrixon
  • Morgan Magan
  • All Alive
  • Planxty Irvine
  • Sídh Beag agus Sídh Mór
  • Brighid Crúis
  • Eleanor Plunkett
  • Carolan's Concerto

literature

Fiction

Sheet music

  • Nikolaus Newerkla : The Music of an Irish Harper. Tunes in arrangements for recorder and piano (harpsichord), Bärenreiter-Verlag, Kassel 2012
  • Nikolaus Newerkla: Playford Dances and Carolan Tunes. Tunes in arrangements for recorder and harpsichord, Moeck-Verlag, Celle 2007

Web links

Commons : Turlough Carolan  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Ursula Poznanski: Saeculum. Thriller. Loewe, Bindlach 2011, ISBN 978-3-7855-7028-9 ( limited preview in the Google book search).