Anne-Marie O'Farrell
Harpist, Harp Teacher and Composer
About Me
Anne-Marie is a leading harpist of her generation, who has significantly extended the boundaries of what was considered possible on the Irish or lever harp, broadening its repertoire and chromatic range.
On pedal harp she has brought the instrument into new contexts, in contemporary and improvised music, by expanding its chamber repertoire through her composition, and with her continued transcription of repertoire new to the pedal harp.
As a composer, Anne-Marie is widely recognised for her immediacy of communication and is equally at home writing for orchestra, choir and voice as she is in writing for multi-genre instrumentalists. She is winner of numerous composition awards including the BBC Baroque Remixed Composition Competition, and has been awarded a PhD in composition from Queen’s University Belfast, where she studied with Piers Hellawell.
Latest News
Eitilt
Eitilt As part of the New Music Dublin 2021 festival, I was commissioned by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra to write a 20-minute work …
Premiere at Christ Church Cathedral on St Brigid’s Day
Premiere at Christ Church Cathedral on St Brigid’s Day As part of their celebrations for St Brigid’s Day this year Christ Church Cathedral Dublin commissioned …
Sevenses – a new song cycle for young choirs
Sevenses – a new song cycle for young choirs Since I grew up in a world of song, solo and choral, writing for young voices …
Reviews
Aibhlín McCrann
“I am delighted to welcome this addition to the lever harp repertoire from Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell, one of Ireland’s most prolific lever harpists and composers. Its variety and sensitive interpretation of J.S. Bach’s harmonic and textural colour, its scholarly approach, and careful attention to the finest details are a valuable resource for all harp players. With wonderfully informative notes, it is a collection to be treasured.“
Dr Laura Sherman
“Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell brings erudite scholarship and brilliant performance experiences together in this excellent collection of transcriptions of J. S. Bach’s music for the Irish/lever harp. Meticulously researched, beautifully notated, and including a revolutionary new way to notate lever changes, this collection is sure to transform playing Bach’s music on the lever harp.“
Sioned Williams
“In this publication, Anne-Marie O’Farrell excels in providing players with an approachable performance-ready edition of J.S. Bach arranged for lever harp.
This publication is based on thorough scholarship of the original works, and is in the spirit of Bach’s own appetite for his music to be adapted to a variety of instruments. The desire for a more comprehensive repertoire for lever harp (already extending with newly-composed works) will certainly be enriched by this edition of Bach. The previously-perceived limitation of chromaticism on lever harps is almost nullified here; though requiring dexterity, the music can be cleanly performed because of the precisely-marked lever changes and charts throughout the notation.
The value of adding works from the baroque era, and of such musical value as Bach, to the repertoire of lever harpists is enormous, allowing skilled players to perform comprehensive programmes of musical significance.“
Giorgio Calcara
“this extraordinary concert artist plays the Irish harp as though she has a third arm with which to obtain dozens of chromaticisms.“
