Laois musician's first album pays tribute to famous harpist

PIANIST AND composer David Vesey’s debut album Carolan Reflections is a reimagining of the timeless works of Turlough O'Carolan.

The 12-track album, which is written, performed and arranged by the Laois native, offers a fresh perspective on the music of one of Ireland’s most celebrated harpists and composers, blending classical piano with traditional Irish influences.

Turlough O'Carolan, celebrated as Ireland’s most famous composer of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, holds a special place in David’s musical journey.

From childhood, David was immersed in O'Carolan's music, first learning the pieces on the tin whistle under the guidance of his primary school teacher John O’Brien. His involvement with Spink Comhaltas, where Paula Dowling McDonald further introduced him to O’Carolan’s works, deepened this connection.

These formative experiences have culminated in Carolan Reflections,an album that both honours and innovates on O'Carolan's compositions.

“I feel privileged to share my arrangements of O’Carolan’s music,” said David. “These reflections are personal in nature, representing my relationship with O’Carolan as a composer and also broader reflections on Irish identity. I hope these arrangements will bring O'Carolan's music to new audiences and continue his legacy in a modern context.” For David, this album is not only a tribute to the past but also an exploration of O'Carolan’s unique place at the crossroads between traditional Irish music and the European baroque tradition.

“O'Carolan was alive at the time of composers like Vivaldi, Handel and Bach,” said David. “His music bridges the gap between the Irish traditional and classical worlds. The harp, O’Carolan’s chosen instrument, shares many similarities with the piano, and through the piano I aim to continue a tradition started by figures like Seán Ó Riada and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, who brought O’Carolan’s music into new realms.” Carolan Reflections is available on CD and all major streaming platforms.