Praise for Harps of Lorien

From time to time, people have had some very nice things to say about the Harps of Lorien. Some of these comments are gathered here.

Date: August 4, 2005 10:17:22 AM MDT
Subject: happy with new harp

Raphael,

I hope this e-mail finds you well. I am enjoying my new harp! In fact, once I start to play it, I can't seem to put it down. Last night, I was improvising and an hour went by like a minute....There is definitely a very special energy about it!

Best Regards!

Lauren Longo

May 12, 2005
Dear Raphael,
Thank you for making a Lorien 30 for me! I think it is the perfect Therapy Harp for me because of its light weight (~10 lbs), and yet wide tonal range (low F to high G ~4 octaves). I am enjoying taking Stella Benson's International Healing Musicians's Program, and have been playing my harp for people confined to nursing homes, and am beginning hospice training. As you might imagine, it is important to have a harp with nice mellow tones, and a range that allows the melody to often be within the range of the human voice, when the goal is to soothe and heal. I have not found a harp more ideal for this job. The tone of the Lorien 30 is extremely mellow. That is what attracted me to your harps in the first place when I first met Elaine Pierson who owned an Oriel roundback, at the Laurie Riley harp conference last October. The tone was so mellow, I had to find out more about your harps!

Even though the designed-tension on this harp has been increased recently, it is still a low-tension harp. Christina Tourin, in her book "Illuminations (p. 14)" says that for a therapy harp "the tension needs to be lighter than for most harps. Tight-tensioned strings produce a tone too bright for the comfort of many patients, especially when played at the bedside... Listen for a more mellow tone rather than a bell-like ringing tone." I think this lower-tension harp is an excellent compromise-optimization in the factors of weight, range, and tension; one that excels in situations where some other solutions aren't so suitable. I would choose it again.

The range gives me room to play the pieces I love, and yet it is very portable. It is a bit too big to wear with my strap all the time, but I use the strap every time I go to the nursing homes in some of the rooms. The strap often allows me to stand in a position where I can make eye contact with the patient. Other times, I sit down and use the cello pin and lap-bar to position the harp, or sit on a very low folding stool with no positioning needed. The cello pin allows me to forgo carrying the heavier wooden stand, which I can leave at home. I appreciated your willingness to work with me to customize my harp with artwork, and other ideas. I really like the Truitt levers, and the case is absolutely beautiful!

With gratitude,
Joy Vargo
joytolive48@yahoo.com

Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: my harp

Dear Raphael
I received my harp today - I am lost for words to describe the impact of this harp on me. I took it down to the stream in the valley where I live - I am lucky to live in a typical English valley, steep sided hills with birch woods, green water meadows in the valley bottom with clear water running down from the heather covered moorlands. (You can see some photos on my husband's website, for books on traditional music - www.birchwoodbooks.co.uk) It has long been my dream to have a harp I could take into the woods and down to the water.

It was a perfect spring evening - sun slanting down through the trees, which are just coming into leaf, all misty green. I took my harp - and it felt like a true blessing for this harp, and the music that sprang forth from it - forgive me if I am going over the top! It was a truly magical experience to sit by the water in the evening sun, and hear the sweet voice of your harp singing out through the trees.

Thank you so much - I can see a new life of possibilities stretching out ahead of me - I have waited a long time for the right, small harp to come along - and this is it! Much love and thanks - Julie

I feel I want to offer you a Celtic blessing which was passed on to me a while ago -

The strength of the oak, around you,
Protection of rowan, surround you,
The wisdom of hazel, within you,
And the joy of the birch... be yours.

The wind and the rain, will bless you,
The light of the moon, caress you,
The gold of the sun, shine within you,
And the song of peace... be yours.

Strong arms of the mother will hold you,
The green of the forest, enfold you,
The living waters will heal you,
And the song of Love... be yours.

With Love - Julie

Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 10:27 AM
Subject: Link for Waldorf

Hello -

I just ordered the Kinder Lyre kit from you on the phone. Here is the link to see the review where I learned of your website:

www.waldorfresources.org/reviews/

When you go there, you click on Musical Instruments, and then Lyres, and then you will see the Harps of Lorien post.

Thanks so much -

Dawn Nicholson

The referenced review at Waldorf Resouces' Consumer Reviews follows:

"WR Consumer Reviews: Musical Instruments: Lyres: Harps of Lorien Kinder Lyre

"Elizabeth H. says... November 12, 2001

"The Kinder Lyre made by Harps of Lorien is a beautiful instrument indeed. My mother was good enough to lend me hers for several years and it was a sad day when she finally wanted it back.

"The shape is simple, with a very nice tone and it is easy to hold. What I particularly liked about this instrument, as opposed to the Auris Lyre, is that one cradles it against the chest rather than holding it in one's lap -- and held such, the highest note is closest to the heart.

"My children found this Lyre just as easy to hold and play as I did. And we never had any trouble with it slipping out of tune.

"This is definitely a pentatonic lyre worth considering." [Link added.]