This blog is coming to you from Jeila, Deborah’s Artist Liason (cool title, right?)

Deborah just cut a bunch of little 30-45 second excerpts of the kinds of pieces she will be playing in her upcoming show with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.  These will give you a taste of what you will hear if you buy your tix to the show on Sat. Nov. 9 at Athenaeum Theater in Indianapolis, IN.

These are great because they are super short and you get to see the many ways Deborah takes the stage. I mean— just watch Dogs of Somerville and The Nightingale side by side– can you believe that’s the same person??

Cosita Latina

The story behind the music:  Translated, this means “Little Latin Thing” – it’s a melody I heard in my sleep — not the dreamy kind, but the ‘wake-up-and-get-dancing’ kind.

The music: This is basically a Samba – with a nuevo-Flamenco cadenza – all instrumental.

The Wild Harp:

The story behind the music:  This refers to the classic Irish ballad about the young boy who goes into battle, “his father’s sword girded on, his wild harp flung behind him.”

The music: This starts with Irish ballad, but quickly transforms to battlefield drums, then to the classic Irish dance rhythms, and a center-section duet between solo fiddle and harp.

Dogs of Somerville:

The story behind the music:  I was convinced that the dogs in my neighborhood had a national-canine-anthem, in the form of an upbeat Blues.  Then I realized they probably also had a cultural exchange program with dogs in France and Germany – but each would have a different take on that anthem…

The music: This is an upbeat Blues, in the style of 50’s bebop poets – combining spoken word with music, and an orchestration that’s heavy on the brass and woodwinds.

The Nightingale:

The story behind the music:  This is one of my most-requested songs.  I wrote it in memory of my mother’s voice, and the lullabies she sang every night.

The music: This piece features English Horn and strings, as well as electric harp and voice.

Baroque Flamenco:

The story behind the music: “There was once a troupe of Flamenco dancers who discovered that their new guitar was actually a time machine – but by the time they discovered that, they were already in the court of Marie Antoinette.  She was hosting a ball that night, at which everyone was dancing the minuet.  So the Flamenco dancers attempted to fit in.  This was the result.”

The music: Strumming, Flamenco-style juxtaposed with a classic Baroque Melody by Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Belinda:

The story behind the music: This is the story of an incredible willow tree that used to grow in an urban area near where I lived.  Here’s a video of the tree and the local High School choir singing a version of this song – just a week or two before the tree was demolished.

The music: Calypso-style with vocals and lush orchestrations. This  is one of my favorite orchestrations – you won’t hear it in the video linked above, but you will when you see the orchestra performance!

New Blues

The story behind the music:  You’d think, with this title, that this is a Blues – but really it’s a bebop romp for two harps, orchestra – and quite likely some unexpected orchestral soloists.  You’ll get to see the ICO harpist in a whole new light as she’s featured in this tune with me.

The music: A Bebop with electric harp and orchestra.

Catcher in the Rye:

The story behind the music:  I was inspired for this song by the juxtaposition of the classic Robert Burns ‘Comin’ Through the Rye’ and the passion in the book “Catcher in the Rye.’ My assistant describes this piece as “a jungle warrior tribute to J.D. Salinger’s literary masterpiece.”

The music: This piece starts out with an almost delicate version of “Comin’ Through the Rye’ and then evolves quickly to a driving rhythm and the use of distortion on the harp to create soaring, searing melodies.

Congratulations, You made it this Far!

The story behind the music:  This is the birthday song for the birthdays you wish you didn’t have …

The music: All strings and vocals, with an upbeat melody and an almost gospel-style melody.

Way You Are Blues

The story behind the music:  This is a Blues I wrote for my husband to sing to me, with everything I wish I could hear him say over and over.

The music: Straight-ahead Blues with a nothing-left-out, no-holds-barred, my-harp-is-really-an-electric-guitar-in-disguise ending.

(I’ll also be playing some solo pieces – but those are a surprise …)

If we have time, we’ll also add some video, but really … just come to the show.  There’s nothin’ like live!!

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Quick Info about the Show

  • WHO: Deborah Henson-Conant with Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
  • WHAT: Electric Harpist with Orchestra Concert
  • WHEN: Sat, Nov. 9th, 2013 8:00pm
  • WHERE: Athenaeum Theatre (401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN)
  • PRICE: $30 Adult, $12 Student
  • TIX: Click here or call 317.940.9607
  • MORE INFO CONTACT: info”at”HipHarp.com
  • HI-RES PRESS PHOTOS: https://hipharp.com/pressphotos.html

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Please enjoy and share this video that gives show information!


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