Blessley Instruments is proud to recommend these recordings featuring our instruments. Digital downloads are available, and you may contact the artists regarding physical CDs.
All Celtic Muse CDs, as well as solo CDs by Valerie & Jennifer,
are available for sale or download at the following links.
Valerie Blessley and Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Crossroads by Celtic Muse
A rich and eclectic blend of Celtic and Scandinavian music on Celtic Harp, Finnish Kantele and woodwinds. Celtic Muse is proud to bring you their third collaborative recording, Crossroads. Continuing with their love of traditional music, Celtic Muse has assembled an exquisite collection of Celtic and Nordic tunes that are sure to delight listeners.
Click to hear Crossroads!
Northern Light – Celtic and Scandinavian music on harp, Finnish kantele, and woodwinds.
Millennium Harper of Pacific Northwest Waters
Nominated for Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year 2009
Step into Northern Light and drift through the mystical lands of the Irish bards and Finnish poets with dulcet harp, bright kantele and lyric woodwinds. Valerie Klemetti Blessley gently leads listeners through the music of ancient northern lands to discover the mysteries, songs and dances of the Celtic folk harp and Finnish kantele. Your heart will smile and your toes will tap as you bask in Northern Light.
Recorded on a Songbird model harp. “Northern Light: Artists seek it; wise men follow it.”
Click to hear: Northern Light!
Valerie Blessley and Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Wind and Wood by Celtic Muse
First Place Ensemble Winners of the Northwest Regional Harp Competition, 1999!
Join the magical dance of two Celtic harps, flute, and recorders as we explore the depths of the Celtic and Early Music traditions. This song collection will stir your feet, make you weep, and grant you rest.
Harps, flute and recorder ensemble.
Recorded on Songbird and Lyrica model harps. “Music to gentle the spirit and gladden the heart.”
Click to hear: Wind and Wood!
Valerie Blessley and Jennifer Pratt-Walter
Merry & Bright, by Celtic Muse
Celtic harps, recorders, flute, kantele, and percussion blend in a poignant and and powerful musical wassail. “Merry & Bright” carries the listener to a place of joy, delight, and reverence in this collection of unusual and beautiful seasonal-theme pieces. This is harp magic at its best.
“As ye bide the gathering night, let all hearts be merry and bright. Arise and rejoice! Cherish each day! Banish misfortune and sorrow away!” These words introduce an album that recaptures the deeper, transcendent meaning of the winter season, evoking a timeless and beautiful sanctuary of sound.
Click to hear: Merry & Bright!
Books and Sheet Music from FinnBird Press
Book of Harp & Finnish Kantele Music – Valerie K. Blessley
Written for the advanced beginner and intermediate player, The Hearthside Harper at Christmas contains a collection of rarely heard carols from around the world that can easily be added to your holiday repertoire. Song list: Coventry Carol, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Hiljaa, Hiljaa (Softly, Softly – Finnish), Masters in This Hall, Over the River and Through the Wood, Sing We Noel (French), Still, Still, Still (German – in 2 keys), The Angels and the Shepherds, The Huron Carol (American carol, in 2 keys).
Spiral Bound – $15 US, plus tax (where applicable) and shipping.
The Hearthside Harper in Finland – Book of Harp & Finnish Kantele Music – Valerie K. Blessley
Written for the advanced beginner and intermediate player, The Hearthside Harper in Finland contains Scandinavian and original pieces, some with lyrics, which are adapted for the folk harp and Finnish kantele. There are a couple of extra delights as well. Song list: Arvon Mekin Ansaitsemme (Song in praise of the Finnish people), Boda Waltz (Swedish in 2 keys), Furuboms Polska, Käin Minä Kaunista, Kangasta, Myöten (Walking along a beautiful ridge), Kakkunassi (a lively circle dance), Kalevala Melody (an ancient Finnish tune), Kikari (a lively Karelian dance), Markkinalaulu (a lovely Finnish minuet), Vesiväri (Watercolors – original).
Spiral Bound – $15 US, plus tax (where applicable) and shipping.
A Harper’s Croft – Book of Harp & Finnish Kantele Music – Valerie K. Blessley
Written for the advanced beginner and intermediate player, A Harper’s Croft contains Celtic and original pieces, including 2 arrangements of Babers’ Waltz (Kultavalssi), written for Mark Blessley, one of which appears on the Celtic Muse CD, Wind and Wood.
Spiral Bound – $15 US, plus tax (where applicable) and shipping.
Marionettes – Sheet Music – Valerie K. Blessley
Written for the advanced beginner and intermediate player, Marionettes is dedicated to Marion Fouse, respected harp teacher in Portland, OR. It’s good practice for left hand patterns! Marionettes is a character piece depicting a lesson with Marion… pleasant conversation, the challenging lesson, ending with encouragement and praise.
$5 US, plus tax (where applicable) and shipping.
To order click here, or print and send the surface mail order form to us at:
Blessley Instruments 10013 NE Hazel Dell Ave. #148 Vancouver, WA USA 98685 email Blessley Instruments at: Valerie.Blessley@gmail.com or call: (360) 600-8477Scorch File: “Erkki’s Building Building” ~ Printable original music by Valerie Klemetti Blessley This tune was written in honor of the kantele builders at Maine Kantele Institute 2008, and our mentor, Erkki Okkonen. It is because of his patient teaching that many new kanteles exist in the USA!
Other Recordings Using Blessley Instruments’ Harps
Ancient Realms by Jennifer Pratt-Walter
First Place Winner (Professional Soloist Category) of the Northwest Regional Harp Competition, 2003!
“Slip through the veil of time to the haunting strains of the Celtic harp.” Solo harp recorded on a Lyrica model harp.
To order from Jennifer’s web site: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jenniferpw
Depth of Field by Harper Tasche
Harp, recorder, and bowed psaltery. Recorded on an Orion model cross-strung harp.
“Lyrical New Music with an Old-World feel.” Recorded on an Orion model cross-strung harp.
“The world’s first solo cross-strung harp CD! Music by Henry Purcell, J. A. Freylinghausen, J. S. Bach, Scott Joplin, and Turlough O’ Carolan; tunes from Scotland and medieval Spain; and new music by Harper Tasche and Diane Moss.”
To listen to Harper’s music go to: https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Harper%20Tasche
Powers that Be by Harper Tasche
Harp, recorder, and bowed psaltery. Recorded on a Rigel model cross-strung harp.
“A showcase for gentle cross-strung harp, with Nordic and Celtic airs and lullabies; pieces by Franz Schubert and J. S. Bach; and new music by Harper Tasche and Bob Zawalich.”
To listen to Harper’s music go to: https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Harper%20Tasche
Persephone’s Art by Verlene Schermer
Verlene’s most recent release features thirteen original songs and includes her jazzy arrangement of Gershwin’s “Summertime” as well. Peresphone’s Art has a jazzy, bluesy upbeat style that will get you tapping your feet and singing along!
Recorded on an Orion model cross-strung harp.
To order from Verlene’s web site: http://www.verlene.com/record.html#persephone