Harpist Claire Jones returns to her roots to help launch a new album
Harpist Claire Jones returns to her West Wales roots to help launch a new album celebrating her recovery from ME.
‘Journey: Harp To Soothe The Soul’
SIGNING AT TESCO, SWANSEA 12pm SUNDAY 1st MARCH
Album release date - St. David’s Day – March 1st 2015
Claire Jones will be returning to her West Wales roots to launch a very personal new album ‘Journey’ on St David’s Day, with a special signing and in store performance of some of the tracks from the album at Tesco in Swansea at 12pm.
‘Journey: Harp To Soothe The Soul’
SIGNING AT TESCO, SWANSEA 12pm SUNDAY 1st MARCH
Album release date - St. David’s Day – March 1st 2015
Shoppers at the store can relax and take off the pressure of the weekly grocery shop by listening in and enjoying to this music to soothe the soul.
Since taking up the role of HRH the Prince of Wales’ official harpist in 2007, Claire Jones’ feet have hardly touched the ground.
Since taking up the role of HRH the Prince of Wales’ official harpist in 2007, Claire Jones’ feet have hardly touched the ground.
She’s performed regularly at royal and state functions, at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in April 2011 and became a household name through the international media frenzy surrounding it.
In September 2012, Claire released her classical chart- topping album, ‘The Girl With The Golden Harp’ with Classic FM, and a week later walked down the aisle to marry fellow musician and composer Chris Marshall.
Still in her mid 20s she was living the dream, cruising the adrenaline highs, the challenges of international travel and high-pressure performances, seemingly with ease.
Just over six months later Claire’s life changed dramatically when after months of debilitating illness, she was diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
The past18 months have been a journey towards wellness, and her new album, ‘Journey’, to be released on March 1 this year, is a collection of beautiful classical music arranged for harp that became the soundtrack to her own very personal odyssey of recovery.
Speaking about her battle with ME, Claire explains:
“Music and my family are core to my life and I couldn’t accept a prognosis of ‘you have ME you just have to live with it’. I just couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life feeling like I did, never playing the harp, never performing again. The tragic thing is that so many people who are diagnosed with ME do have to manage with it, as it’s not generally recognised as being ‘curable’. I was extremely lucky to find a specialist ME/CFS who identified and supported the right recovery strategy for me, and fortunate to have the means to undertake that treatment.
During my convalescence I listened to many different styles and pieces of music. Along with many other nutrition, relaxation and medical treatments, some pieces of music seemed to be particularly beneficial for me. I’ve included these on this album in the hope that the beautiful and moving melodies can help those who live hectic lives to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day, or simply to create a soothing and uplifting atmosphere. But very importantly, I also want to use the album’s release to raise awareness of ME Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to get people talking about this debilitating condition that affects at least 250,000 people in Britain today, and to stimulate a discussion about the possibility of getting better, of finding a way back to living a full, energetic but balanced life. I’m now well and able to live my life and resume my career, though I approach things differently. I would like every sufferer of this illness to have the same possibility of getting well again.”
The album includes 12 pieces from the world of classical music including Venus from Holst’s Planets, La Danse Des Sylphes and music by Saint-Saens; a favourite film score piece, Ladies In Lavender as well as national airs and folk melodies from across the British Isles, including a dramatic arrangement of Scarborough Fair, a soothing rendition of the Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli Mabi and a joyous uptempo version of the Irish folk tune Toss the Feathers, all arranged for harp or harp and orchestra by Chris Marshall, and performed by Claire and the London Mozart Players.
The album also includes one new composition by Claire’s husband, Chris Marshall. It was inspired by their walks together in the Preseli Mountains near Claire’s childhood home, during her time there recuperating from her illness. The Bluestones of the Preseli Hills are famous for having been quarried on these hills and transported to Salisbury Plain to form a core part of the world famous Neolithic monument of Stonehenge, and this piece of music is an invocation of that landscape and its mystical history.
The Optimum Health Clinic in London which led Claire’s treatment for ME/CFS has put together an information fact sheet about ME/CFS, which is offered free of charge as a download from Claire’s website http://www.clairejones.co.uk/news/4588309588 .
Speaking about her battle with ME, Claire explains:
“Music and my family are core to my life and I couldn’t accept a prognosis of ‘you have ME you just have to live with it’. I just couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life feeling like I did, never playing the harp, never performing again. The tragic thing is that so many people who are diagnosed with ME do have to manage with it, as it’s not generally recognised as being ‘curable’. I was extremely lucky to find a specialist ME/CFS who identified and supported the right recovery strategy for me, and fortunate to have the means to undertake that treatment.
During my convalescence I listened to many different styles and pieces of music. Along with many other nutrition, relaxation and medical treatments, some pieces of music seemed to be particularly beneficial for me. I’ve included these on this album in the hope that the beautiful and moving melodies can help those who live hectic lives to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day, or simply to create a soothing and uplifting atmosphere. But very importantly, I also want to use the album’s release to raise awareness of ME Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to get people talking about this debilitating condition that affects at least 250,000 people in Britain today, and to stimulate a discussion about the possibility of getting better, of finding a way back to living a full, energetic but balanced life. I’m now well and able to live my life and resume my career, though I approach things differently. I would like every sufferer of this illness to have the same possibility of getting well again.”
The album includes 12 pieces from the world of classical music including Venus from Holst’s Planets, La Danse Des Sylphes and music by Saint-Saens; a favourite film score piece, Ladies In Lavender as well as national airs and folk melodies from across the British Isles, including a dramatic arrangement of Scarborough Fair, a soothing rendition of the Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli Mabi and a joyous uptempo version of the Irish folk tune Toss the Feathers, all arranged for harp or harp and orchestra by Chris Marshall, and performed by Claire and the London Mozart Players.
The album also includes one new composition by Claire’s husband, Chris Marshall. It was inspired by their walks together in the Preseli Mountains near Claire’s childhood home, during her time there recuperating from her illness. The Bluestones of the Preseli Hills are famous for having been quarried on these hills and transported to Salisbury Plain to form a core part of the world famous Neolithic monument of Stonehenge, and this piece of music is an invocation of that landscape and its mystical history.
The Optimum Health Clinic in London which led Claire’s treatment for ME/CFS has put together an information fact sheet about ME/CFS, which is offered free of charge as a download from Claire’s website http://www.clairejones.co.uk/news/4588309588 .
It is designed to provide information for anyone who thinks they may be suffering from this debilitating illness, and includes practical information on the condition and its symptoms, and guidance on how and where to get help and support.
The album, Journey: Harp To Soothe The Soul will be released on the Silva Classics label on St. David’s Day, March 1st and Claire has chosen to return to her West Wales roots on that Special St David’s day to help celebrate the album’s release.
The album, Journey: Harp To Soothe The Soul will be released on the Silva Classics label on St. David’s Day, March 1st and Claire has chosen to return to her West Wales roots on that Special St David’s day to help celebrate the album’s release.
She’ll be performing exerpts and signing copies from 12pm on Sunday 1 March.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Ladies In Lavender
2. La Danse Des Sylphes
3. Si Hei Lwli Mabi (Go To Sleep My Baby)
4. Nocturne in Bb
5. Scarborough Fair
6. Silent Noon
7. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
8. Bluestone (Carreg Las)
9. The Lark
10. To a Wild Rose
11. Toss the Feathers
12. Fantasie On Themes From Symphony No. 3
Website -
TRACK LISTING:
1. Ladies In Lavender
2. La Danse Des Sylphes
3. Si Hei Lwli Mabi (Go To Sleep My Baby)
4. Nocturne in Bb
5. Scarborough Fair
6. Silent Noon
7. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
8. Bluestone (Carreg Las)
9. The Lark
10. To a Wild Rose
11. Toss the Feathers
12. Fantasie On Themes From Symphony No. 3
Website -
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