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Composer Conductor  

 

Janet Harbison is a renowned Irish harpist, composer, and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1955, Harbison grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her father, James Harbison, was a well-known Irish fiddler, and her mother, Sheila Larchet-Cuthbert, was a harpist and composer. Harbison began playing the harp at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied under her mother and later went on to study at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Harbison also studied musicology at Trinity College Dublin, where she earned a Ph.D. in 1985. Throughout her career, Harbison has been a prolific composer, with a particular focus on traditional Irish music. Her compositions range from solo harp pieces to orchestral works, and she has also written music for film and television. Some of her most notable works include "The Belfast Harp Festival Suite," "The Celtic Concerto," and "The Irish Harp Book." In addition to her work as a composer, Harbison is also a highly respected performer. She has performed all over the world, including at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Carnegie Hall in New York. Harbison is known for her virtuosic playing style and her ability to blend traditional Irish music with classical techniques. Harbison is also a dedicated educator and has taught at several institutions throughout her career. She founded the Irish Harp Centre in Castleconnell, County Limerick, in 1992, which has become a hub for harpists from all over the world. Harbison has also taught at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the University of Limerick. One of the highlights of Harbison's career was her involvement in the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792. The festival was a significant event in the history of Irish music, as it brought together harpists from all over Ireland to perform and compete. Harbison composed "The Belfast Harp Festival Suite" in honor of the event, which has since become a staple of the harp repertoire. Another notable work by Harbison is "The Celtic Concerto," which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland in 1995. The concerto is a fusion of traditional Irish music and classical techniques and features the harp as a solo instrument. The piece has been performed by orchestras all over the world and has received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to blending different musical styles. Harbison's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2011 for her services to music, and she has also been awarded the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year award and the Irish American of the Year award. In conclusion, Janet Harbison is a highly accomplished composer, performer, and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her innovative approach to blending traditional Irish music with classical techniques has earned her critical acclaim and has helped to bring the harp to a wider audience. Harbison's legacy as a composer and educator will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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