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Our Review

Unlike her other holiday albums (see Christmas Night and Winter Harp, also reviewed on this site), Lori Pappajohn's Celtic Harp for Christmas is all instrumental, although it is not all harp. Pappajohn plays the Celtic harp, flute and bells; Finn Manniche provides the cello. The resulting package embodies Celtic music at its finest--mysterious, gentle, and magical.

Although most tracks are familiar, one medieval carol was not. A Vos Dona Verge Santa Maria (13th Century Provencal) is an exciting discovery, and the delicate treatment here is tremendously effective, complete with bells that sound like the clang of far-off livestock moving slowing down narrow field paths in France. The layers of music draw in the listeners, weaving a dramatic spell. Pappajohn has also written one piece here; Frankincense effectively conveys the movement of three kings moving across the desert floor towards the white star and the stable.

As usual, Pappajohn displays outstanding artistry in her command of the harp--that alone makes for a magnificent show. What makes this album even more interesting, however, is the inclusion of the warm cello voice (played by Finn Manniche), as well as the inspired bell and flute flourishes. In fact, the lead-in on O Come, O Come Emmanuel goes for over a minute with just the sounds of flute and church bellsthis truly sets the tone for a haunting and affecting presentation. Other terrific tracks include the Huron Carol and Friendly Beasts/Away in a Manger, richly-woven numbers with wonderful cello harmony lines.

Bravo, Lori Pappajohn! Celtic Harp for Christmas is a holiday music must-have for anyone who appreciates the joys of superbly-crafted Celtic music.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

This album was inspired by the peace and joy of the Christmas season. Once the tinsel and stark commercialism are stripped away, what is left is a celebration of birth a celebration of light.

Throughout time immemorial, people of numerous cultures and backgrounds have gathered together in the darkest time of year to stave off the darkness and welcome the light.

Christmas is about memories of snow-covered fields and forests and the sounds of church bells peeling out over the frozen land. Above the twilight-blue snow, high in the evening sky, stars glisten like ice. Inside candlelit churches, choirs rejoice.

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember

We're nearer to spring
Than we were in September
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
--Oliver Herford

May this music reflect the reverence, peace and mystery of this season. --LP

Lori Pappajohn: Celtic harp, flute, bells
Finn Manniche: Cello

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Invincible Studios, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
Engineered by Hari Singh Khalsa.
Produced by Greg Joy of Ancient Echoes Music.
Cover art taken from The Harp of Tara by A.A.E. Herbert Pinx.
All selections traditional, arranged by Lori Pappajohn except the following:
Frankincense was written and arranged by Lori Pappajohn; Huron Carol, Friendly Beasts/Away In a Manger arranged by Lori Pappajohn and Greg Joy.
Cello lines arranged by Greg Joy.

From the Web site:

Lori Pappajohn has performed throughout Canada, the United States, Britain and Chile. She is director of Winter Harp as well as North America's premier harp ensemble, Harps International, which also features Jill Whitman. The trio has performed at numerous major festivals including opening for the 1997 International Jazz and Pop Harp Conference and being featured at the World Harp Congress and the International Folk Harp Conference. The trio has toured Canada-wide for Community Concerts, a division of Columbia Artists. A composer and an award-winning journalist, Lori Pappajohn has two internationally-released recordings and has produced the documentary The Minstrel's Dream about the origin of the harp.

Lori Pappajohn

Celtic Harp for Christmas

Artist link

Track List