Composed in 1995 celebrating peace in Northern Ireland

BRIGHT NEW MORNING was originally composed as an ensemble piece for the IRISH HARP ORCHESTRA (formerly the Belfast Harp Orchestra) – a harp ensemble tutored and directed by Janet Harbison with up to 24 harp players performing in up to 8 parts.  This is the solo version of that work.

The piece was composed for the visit of President Clinton to Belfast in November 1995.  Its theme is ‘accommodation of contrast’ and deliberately embraces the differences - between a Jig and a Reel in rhythm; between classical and traditional in style; between old and new in harmony and construction, between serious and playful, and between protestant and catholic in Northern Ireland.