To hear one of my harps being played you can listen to Mary Doumany's CD as shown below:

Fire [Back to home]

or listen to Cath Connelly's Thin Place CD shown at the bottom of this page:

Thin Place

To contact Mary Doumany and purchase this CD below email her at fortunata@optusnet.com.au.

Mary Doumany and her album “Elemental”

‘Haunting, original music, and intriguing blend of rock, World and classical, mixed with jazz and Celtic influences’ is how the music of acclaimed contemporary harpist, vocalist and composer Mary Doumany has been described.

A virtuoso harpist in her own right, Mary also composes and sings her own material. Her voice has an intimacy and fluidity that seem effortless and there is a unique freedom to her interpretations. The unusual combination of voice and harp as a vehicle for contemporary songs has won her many hearts and much critical acclaim. As part of ‘The Lovers’ (with guitarist Jeremy Alsop), her first CD of songs, ‘Embrace’ was nominated for 5 ARIA awards.

More recently Mary has completed her first album of original solo harp works, entitled ‘Elemental’. Julie Raines, harpist with the MSO described as ‘unusually beautiful, superbly written, displaying Mary Doumany’s mastery of interesting special effects and her true insight and understanding of the harp’s character’.

A Queenslander by birth, Mary is greatly in demand as a recording artist and improviser in her home city of Melbourne, where she pursues a career which encompasses an astonishingly broad spectrum of musical interests. She is just as much at home playing movie sound tracks (Shine, The Truman Show etc.) as she is singing in front of a jazz band, performing in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra or improvising with ensembles of musicians from many different backgrounds. Recently she performed with guitarist Slava Grigoryan and oud player, Joseph Tawadros.

Passionate about exploring and demonstrating the versatility of the harp, Mary says that improvisation is an essential element of her compositions. ‘I love the excitement of improvisation, especially when playing solo. It gives you the freedom to respond to the moment and the audience you are with’.

The new album ‘Elemental’ features the Suite, ‘The Elements’ written especially for 36 string lever harp. The harp on the CD is a gut string instrument designed and manufactured in South Australia by make, Tim Guster. The response to the sound of this instrument from professionals everywhere, has been overwhelming. Many have been surprised that they were not listening to a pedal harp, as the tone is so deep and satisfying. Mary is currently negotiating a US release for the album and sheet music. The Suite ‘The Elements’ will feature in the next Trinity College Syllabus for lever harp.




Cath Connelly and her album “Song Line — Thin Place ”
on Celtic Harp supported by Greg Hunt (Fiddle, Mandolin, percussion). Play Thin Place at the top of this page.