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Celtic Harp Tales
CD & vinyl version available!
every copy signed by Amelia, delivered Europe-wide + USA + Japan
NEW: vinyl edition available
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Listen to the official album preview:
Tracks:
1 Bonny Portmore 3:33
2 Blacksmith 3:58
3 She Moved through the Fair 5:53
4 The Star of the County Down 2:55
5 Skye Boat Song 3:47
6 Dèan Cadalan Sàmhach 2:33
7 The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond 3:21
8 The Massacre of Glencoe 2:32
9 Arran Boat Song 3:50
10 Will Ye No Come Back Again? 3:31
11 Sealg A’s Sugradh Nan Gleann 2:36
12 The Parting Glass 4:41
13 Arran Boat Song (reprise) 1:11
14 Hi Horo ‘s Na Horo Eile 3:13
15 Ghosts of Glencoe 3:11
Total time: 50:45
Credits:
Amelia Tokarska – harp
Paweł Biliński – keyboards, programming (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12-15)
Krzysztof Maciejowski – 5-string electric violin (tracks: 1, 5, 7, 10, 15)
Marcin Rumiński – whistles, pipes (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15)
Sławomir Berny – percussion (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10-12, 14, 15)
All tracks originally written & arranged by Paweł Biliński, based on traditional Celtic songs and themes.
Producer, art-director: Paweł Biliński
Sound engineer, mix & master (stereo, Dolby Atmos TM & binaural): Tadeusz Mieczkowski
Recording session engineer: Piotr Wilmanowicz
Amelia plays Salvi Minerva harp. During sessions we also used Camac lever harps.
Recorded between February and November 2023 at the Cavatina Hall Studio (Bielsko-Biała, Poland) and the Polish Radio S2 Studio (Warsaw).
Photos: Dorota Koperska ©
Cover & booklet design: Damian Bydliński ©
Illustrations: Nizar ©
Published by DUX.
Catalog number: DUX 2066.
Impressive 24-page album booklet
including wonderful illustrations, descriptions of songs inspired by a Celtic legends, photos from the recording sessions and authors’ comments.
The very talented classical harpist Amelia Tokarska and composer Pavel Bilinski have revisited some Irish standards and offered a modern version, with a mix of (fairly discreet) electronic effects, acoustic, and electric instruments. The result of this work is very pleasant to listen to. A superb booklet (in English) provides insightful commentary on each piece. (...) After all, isn't music primarily meant to move us? These Celtic compositions, played on a small harp, work the magic of touching my soul.
Harpes Magazine (France)
A highly successful debut by the artist, refined in every detail: from the repertoire and arrangements, through the selection of instruments, to the captivating sound. The album "Celtic Harp Tales," with its lyrics from Celtic legends, is a treasure trove for Celtic music lovers who crave music that speaks to the emotions and beauty of the world around them.
Dionizy Piątkowski (Era Jazzu)
Amelia Tokarska's harp performance is captivating, and at times downright enchanting, proving just how exceptional this instrument is and how well it can convey a whole range of emotions in its sounds. The duets she plays… with herself – are absolutely incredible. But there are more such delights on this release. However, I won't spoil the fun of discovering them for anyone who picks up this album.
Grzegorz Szczepaniak (Presto Magazine)
Amelia's harp, complemented by a minimal selection of acoustic instruments such as keyboards, violins, and whistles, creates a simple yet refreshing and warm sound that could be described as exquisitely healing music. The accompanying booklet provides detailed explanations of each song, each with a fascinating story unfamiliar to Japanese audiences. Her music is reminiscent of landscape of Scotland or Ireland which I’ve never seen in real life. Absolutely stunning.
Tadahiro Yamamoto (Japan)
order now
CD & vinyl version available!
every copy signed by Amelia, delivered Europe-wide + USA + Japan
Amelia's outstanding playing
The album’s most important musical ingredient is Amelia Tokarska’s subtle and emotional playing. Her versatility is best demonstrated by the fact that, although she plays in Czech and Slovak orchestras on a daily basis, she moves with ease into the world of Celtic harp. The combination of a classical approach to the harp and Celtic themes played by an award-winning and technically excellent harpist? Listen for yourself to this fresh take on Celtic melodies. The harp is painting here old Celtic legends. Coming back to roots and simplicity.
brand new arrangements in love with harp
It wouldn’t be Celtic Harp Tales if it weren’t for Paweł Biliński’s musical adaptations, created completely from scratch. Without considering how far we can stray from the original themes, Biliński has created a world of musical landscapes in which to immerse yourself for over 50 minutes. The arrangements, refined in every detail, make use of a wide range of harp playing techniques, as well as several duets played by Amelia herself. The narrative of the album is a collection of stories and legends from over several centuries – they gave rise to this journey to the origins. A journey through old Celtic songs.
cinematic-feel immersive sound space
Album listeners is moved to a world of imagination thanks to the album’s immerssive approach to the mix. Legendary sound engineer Tadeusz Mieczkowski has created a space that stimulates all the senses and allows one to forget about the world. The Dolby AtmosTM and binaural mix is one component. The other is the Cavatina Hall concert hall, which acoustics allowed for a natural space – we have the impression of listening to a live concert. The whole builds up a kind of picture-perfect soundtrack to Celtic legends.
The band out of this world
As producer, Pawel Bilinski selected excellent musicians to play on the album, bringing a fresh perspective on completely new arrangements of Celtic songs. The excellent percussionist Slawek Berny added a whole new dimension by using dozens of different instruments – often unobvious ones. Krzysztof Maciejowski with his 5-string electric violin adds a subtle background and amazing colours. Marcin Rumiński and his whistle and bagpipes – the essence of the world of Celtic music. The whole is wrapped in top-class synthetic orchestral and electronic sounds – as a flavour of the whole soundtrack.
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