Book Review: “Some Songs of the Hebrides” by Anna Cooper
/By Julia Elliott, Boxford, MA
This is a great time of year to grab a copy of Anna Cooper’s new book, Some Songs of the Hebrides, and call your lyre friends together to make music. A collection of seven beautiful Hebridean melodies, these settings musically evoke vibrant images of wind, water and wildness. The arrangements are for one or more lyres (including alto lyre) and a vocal melody line. Cooper originally set these pieces for the Celtic Lyre Group in Holywood, Northern Ireland, and the arrangements are rich and satisfying.
All of the pieces in Some Songs of the Hebrides include the vocal part (with lyrics) and at least one lyre line. The lyre parts serve as supportive accompaniment to the voice, but also supply some lovely harmonies. There are two versions of the gorgeous, expansive “Fairy’s Love Song,” one for voice and solo lyre, and the other for three lyres. Other pieces in this collection are:
Dance to Your Shadow, A Barra Love Lilt, People Who Have Gardens, The Rune of the Weaver, Eriskay Love Lilt, Weaving Lilt
Anna Cooper has a great capacity to make ensemble music come to life as a social experience. The melodies she has chosen are deeply resonant, and the lyre parts work together seamlessly, weaving in and out of each other with sensitivity. Her compositions offer some nice technical challenges for experienced players and also let less advanced players have a role. If you are stuck indoors right now, this book will give your lyre a song to sing!