The Edward Bunting Harp Festival 23rd-25th May 2008

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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Edward Bunting Harp Festival, organised by Armagh Harpers' Association, celebrates the life and work of Edward Bunting, who was born in Armagh in 1773, and died in 1843. His grandfather was a piper, by the name of Quinn, and his father was an Englishman, who came to Ireland to open a coal mine in Tyrone. Edward was one of three brothers, all of whom studied music in Armagh, and became professional organists.
During his youth, his mother's family immersed him in traditional Irish music. Such was his musical genius, that it was not long before he was teaching pupils older than himself. Not only did he excel in music, he mastered the skill to tune and repair the instruments. He was recognized as a prodigy, and in 1792, at the age of 19, he was selected to transcribe at the Belfast Harpers' Festival. The musicians attending the festival, represented a distinctive Irish harping tradition, dating back to at least the 12th century.
For the next four years, he
devoted himself to the work of collecting airs. He continued to collect and
research traditional Irish music, during his occupation as an organist and
teacher. In
1840, Bunting published his third volume, which contained over 100 airs and
musical examples. It also contained valuable insights, relating to the
characteristics of Irish music, and included sketches of famous Irish pipers. Edward was able to preserve
melodies which were otherwise certainly destined for extinction.
A HARPING TRADITION – BROKEN