Fraya Thomsen's new Harp book - Release (book)
Fraya compiled and edited her exciting new book "Release" which was launched to great acclaim at the "Harp Village" weekend in Cromarty in September 2023. It has popular tunes from her acclaimed recent album Release as well as other exciting compositions and arrangements from her performances. To hear the tunes: https://frayathomsen.bandcamp.com/album/release ;
Release - New Music for Lever harp is a book for intermediate to advanced players. It contains solo harp versions of the instrumental sections from Fraya Thomsen's amazing album Release. This album was composed as music for performance at Celtic Connections. There are also four bonus pieces from Fraya's previous projects.
Some effects are specific to the harp, but most pieces could be easily transferred to piano or to other polyphonic instruments, or perhaps to a duo in some cases. The album performances show how this music can be adapted for an ensemble, although the book condenses these arrangements for a single harp. Fun compositions like For the Love of Shoogles, more serious pieces such as For the Water Protectors, and traditional classics including Give Me Your Hand and an old strathspey from the 18th century Patrick MacDonald Collection are all cleverly arranged for solo harp.
This book has been funded through the National Lottery and by Creative Scotland.