Black Hounds of Cŵn Annwn for Harp Ensemble (C minor)- Full Ensemble performance
Harp - MP3 Download

Harp - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1267054

By Laura Olson. By Laura Olson. Arranged by Laura Olson. Celtic,Classical,Folk,Irish,Multicultural,New Age,World. Full Performance. Duration 279. Blue Steer Studios #859689. Published by Blue Steer Studios (A0.1267054).

Perform this original work of Celtic Irish setting from her CD (Gypsy Road,2012) scored for harp ensemble of intermediate to advanced players.  Scored in E minor with no lever changes it features a creative slip-jig with lush and effective harmonies.  A rare opportunity to showcase programmatic skills for the harp ensemble.   The dark and mysterious musical message will touch the hearts of all who hear it.

About the Composition

I wrote this when I was very angry at the world.  Someday I might meet a black hound on a dark night... and we’ll both go hunting together.

Black Dogs,  Black Hounds, The Hounds of Hell,  Dogs of Hell,  Gabriel Hounds, Yell Hounds,  Barghest,  Black Dog of the Hanging Hills, Gurt Dog or the Hounds of Herne the Hunter… by whatever name, they are a common feature in the folklore of the British Isles.  The Black Hounds of Cŵn Annwn are the spectral hounds of Annwn, the otherworld of Welsh myth.  Early Christians came to dub these mythical creatures as "The Hounds of Hell" or "Dogs of Hell" and erroneously theorized they were therefore owned by Satan.  However, the Annwn of medieval Welsh tradition is an otherworldly paradise and not a hell or abode of dead souls. The Black Hounds are a nocturnal apparition, and their appearance was regarded as a portent of death. They are supposed to hunt on specific nights in the autumn and winter when it is believed that "the howling of these huge dogs foretold death to anyone who heard them". 

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About the Composer 
Laura Olson (ASCAP) is a retired California music educator with over 30 years of experience specializing in stringed instruments and orchestras. She holds a B.A. in Music Education and M.A. in Irish Traditional Music Performance (fiddle, flute, and harp). Her experience as a symphonic musician, ethnic musician, and Film/TV composer led her to combining the three aspects of music into her own compositions and arrangements; storybook music in cinematic style. She is the owner of her recording and publishing label Blue Steer Studios(ASCAP) which allows her to combine her composing skills with knowledge of both the business and publishing aspects of music industry. Winner of a Silver Ace Award from the Las Vegas Film Festival she has composed music for all types of media, including Film/TV, web and advertising, and her own personal music in audio CD and sheet music. In 2021 she took time off from composing to relocate her studio to Eastern Washington (Spokane) and is now getting started on new projects and pursuing music composition full time. Look for them soon!

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Discography 
Mossflower Country (2010) 
Border Guardians of Ackernon (2011) 
Gypsy Road (2012) which released with proceeds going to Fresno Bully Rescue and Animal Compassion Team 
Moon Trees and Sun Seas (2015) 
A Grimm-ly Lit Forest (2018). 
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Social
Spotify: LauraOlsonMusic 
Apple Music: https://music.lnk.to/0GVvSr 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BlueSteerStudios/ 
Twitter https://twitter.com/BlueSteerStudio 
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/laura-olson 
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