Harp Spring in Burghausen (Bavaria)

Brian Boru was a very famous king of Irland way back in the first century. He died in April 1014 and for this 1000th anniversary a group of harp players organised a festival last year. There 60 harps played together the famous march of Brian Boru. I was fascinated, but couldn't go as it was just too far to travel at short notice.

Luckily it was so fantastic, that it was the first Harp Spring - to be followed by many more, hopefully.

This year my harp and I travelled all the way by night train to arrive in time for harp lessons on Thursday. Luckily I had 2 hours of spare time to visit the longest Castle of the world first.

At 1 pm we were all welcomed at the Mautner Castle, used as night school usually. There are enough large rooms for groups of harps and players.

I belonged to the group for music of Turlough O'Carolan and learned very much about the basics of music beside new songs.

Two songs of my group learning Irish tunes 

In the evening was a concert of our teachers and some talented students.

 

Friday was filled with more lessons and the rehersal for the Brian Boru Event where we all would play together the march, as last year, and another song, composed especially for the Harp Spring.

In the evening was a concert for Harp & Guitar in a church in town. It was very interesting.

Saturday was the big day! After final lessons in the morning, the harps were packed and were taken to the place beside a church. Just when the first harps arrived, it started to rain! What should we do? The organisers of the event decided to stay on the save side for the harps and we all moved to the city hall, easy to reach. All the harps fitted in - but not all visitors of the event. When we were finally ready to play, the sun was shining brightly outside.

We played each song just once and then decided to play outside after all. The harps gave us a good exercise getting carried around!

In the evening was another concert in a different church. Capella Antiqua of Burghausen played Early Music and they were followed by Arianna Savall with her band.

Video of Capella Antiqua

Video of Ariann Savall

At the end of it I was so full of music, I couldn't take in any more!

On Sunday all harp courses gave a concert to show the others what we had learned. Of course I have no photo of myself on stage, but took some of the others.

German Folk music, waking memories of my childhood

Second steps on the harp 

Beginners' Course - they learned so much! 

There were two hours left until I had to catch my train home, so I went for another walk around the lake and up to the castle for one more time. 

It was such a full and wonderful weekend!