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In the Press...

From Dirty Linen April/May 2004:

If you've been listening to a million fiddlers lately and are ready for a very different sound from Celtic tradition, and a much older one, too, you might start with Alchemy of a Rose [Highland Circle Music HCM 51886 (2002)] by Marylander Cynthia Cathcart, a United States national champion on the ancient wire-strung Scottish harp called the clarsach. The clear, pure sound of that instrument - glistening, bell-like, and resonating with rich layers of harmonics - is nothing short of stunning in this uplifting, meticulously crafted recording of traditional tunes from Scotland and Ireland. While many of the tunes in this collection are played solo, Cathcart also employs some unconventional but very effective pairings like touches of flute and percussion here and there, an ominous-sounding didjuridu that introduces and closes a meditative arrangement of "Brian Boru" inspired by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and the bells of Washington National Cathedral, which appear as a chorus of hope to close out "The Banks o'Clyde." This is music that's thoughtful, inspirational, and great therapy for stress.

The Reel World - Small-label English and Celtic Music by Tom Nelligan

Read The Washington Times's review of "Alchemy of a Rose", 11th Jan 2003.

Other reviews...

"Alchemy of a Rose" by Cynthia Cathcart is a watershed album of wire harp music that really shows how amazing the wire harp can sound. A seemingly extinct instrument since the end of the 18th century, the wire harp, or clarsach, has been making a steady comeback over the past two decades thanks to historical research and the handiwork of dedicated craftspeople. Cynthia Cathcart discovered her love for the instrument when she was given one that had been owned by a dear friend who had passed away. In the liner notes to the CD, she says that both she and the wire harp really chose each other. Her passion for the instrument and its place in Scottish and Irish music comes through in every track on the CD. Cynthia doesn't bury her harps in over-production, but rather lets them speak for themselves in a sometimes haunting, sometimes playful way. In fact, after buying her CD, I dusted off my own harp and found myself playing along. My favorite track is the Brian Boru March. This will be the CD that brings the wire harp into the 21st. Century.

Charley Montroll

When I received the advance copy of Cynthia Cathcart's new CD, Alchemy of a Rose, I popped it right into my CD player in my office computer. It really is great! So many of the tunes are recognizable, but on Alchemy of a Rose they have "suffered a sea change..." so rich and strange on the otherworldly sounding metal strings.

One track in particular I didn't like at first - Brian Boru. But then I really got into what Cynthia and the crew were doing. That was before reading the wrapper notes, telling the story of her interpretation of this march. Cynthia uses ancient Gaelic music and instruments in an imaginative re-creation that echoes with memories of a recent disastrous September morning. It is really stirring! If you've got one drop of the blood of the ancient Gaelic warriors you will respond to this interpretation.

Not just another harp album indeed!

Gerry Serviente

What other people have said...

Cynthia
Yes, I did get your CD. I'm used to "lovely", yet over-produced harp recordings that are lush, but not necessarily much more than that. Alchemy has a very mysterious, haunting, sometimes dark, often sparsely produced quality to it that actually allows the harp to stand out. And so much of it is playful and self-affirming as well (self-affirming in that the music sort of lifts you up). As I was listening, it seemed more and more like I was listening to the wire harp as It was probably played long ago, not a commercialized pretty picture, but a whole feeling that I was hearing music for a moment through a window of time.
Regards, Charley

Omygosh, Cynthia your new CD is absolutely beautiful. It shines like a multi-faceted diamond with many different hues, always sparkling, always fascinating. It knocked my socks off! And my 14-year-old highland snare drummer son, who has no taste whatsoever absolutely loved it!The highest compliment you could get! GREAT JOB!!!! I really loved your Brian Boru's March took that old chestnut to new heights!! Congratulations!!!
--Joanna

Folks, this CD is no little collection of jigs and reels.There are a fair number of tunes that are purely wire-strung harp, but also some selections with an interesting use of percussion and other instruments. It's good to know that the arrangements are in "From My Music Stand." So, when is the next one coming out?You can't stop with just one. Oooh. Brian Boru is up. Good one, Cynthia.
--Debra

Cynthia,
Thank you for your remarkable CD (and for signing it!). I've been listening to several Celtic harp CD's, but I was not prepared for your sound. It's a bigger and richer sound. I don't know why that is the strings themselves, the studio you used or just the way you play but it is a wonderful sound.
I also noticed what I think is a difference in the way you play separate voices. Some of the Celtic harp CDs I liked had a second instrument playing a second voice another harp or a wire-strung guitar, but it sounded like you were playing the second voice yourself. That lower voice beautifully defines the range of the music (does this sound like a cellist talking?) and somehow makes the whole sound richer and more powerful no music-box tinkling sound here....
I hope this isn't getting tedious for you, but I have to add that your Brian Boru stopped me in my tracks. I recognized the sound of the didjuridu, but certainly hadn't expected it. As I listened, I read through your liner notes, cried, and played the whole piece again. Remarkable.
--Lorrie