"Anne McCaffrey contacted us when she began writing Masterharper Robinton's life story. She wanted to include some of his music in the book, and asked if we would write it. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, th... more »e book was published without the music. But meanwhile, the concept had grown from a handful of tunes to a full 50 minute CD of songs and instrumentals, using Anne's lyrics from the original Pern books, plus some expanded lyrics that she wrote specially for this project."
The musical interpretation draws on many cultures and eras, and features a wide range of stringed, wind and percussion instruments, vocals, and beautiful production.
"Anne McCaffrey contacted us when she began writing Masterharper Robinton's life story. She wanted to include some of his music in the book, and asked if we would write it. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, the book was published without the music. But meanwhile, the concept had grown from a handful of tunes to a full 50 minute CD of songs and instrumentals, using Anne's lyrics from the original Pern books, plus some expanded lyrics that she wrote specially for this project."
The musical interpretation draws on many cultures and eras, and features a wide range of stringed, wind and percussion instruments, vocals, and beautiful production.
THE MUSICIANS:
Tania Opland: vocals, guitar, violin, recorders, hammered dulcimer, keyboards, Kiowa (Native American) flute
Mike Freeman: guitars, vocals, djembe, darabouka, cymbals, snare, timpani, frame drums, various other percussion
Additional voices: Hilary Spencer (U.K.), Brian Bedford (U.K.), William Pint (U.S.A.), Alicia Healey (U.S.A.)
"I have read all of the Pern books more than once, and it is wonderful to get the music she writes so much about in your ears while you're reading. It's similar to watching the movie before reading the book...you see the images of the characters already. For those of us who cannot write our own music, it allows us to listen to what the harpers of Pern really wrote. With an Irish feel, using primitive sounding instruments, the music gets under your skin. You'll be singing the Question Song for a week."
Doesn't everyone love the Masterharper?
Rebecca | Michigan, USA | 06/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD, it was the first one I bought many years ago, and it is still a favorite now. The songs use the exact words that Anne McCaffrey wrote in her books and put them to music that is exactly as I imagined it whould be. The Masterharper of Pern CD is a great contribution to the collection of any Anne McCaffrey fan."
Good Music
Wendy Coon | Cameron, NC | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The songs are wonderful and make the Pern world so much richer. It is nice to hear the songs that you've read about. I've found that listening to them on a very low volume while reading the books makes the experience so much more engaging."
A must-have for all lovers of Pern
J. Ellison | Arizona, USA | 07/06/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of us who have immersed ourselves in, and fallen in love with, Anne McCaffrey's world of Pern, this CD, along with Sunset's Gold, are absolute must-haves! We finally have a chance to hear some of the songs that are standards on Pern.
Some are rather surprising to me, such as the "Fighting Thread" song ("wheel and turn or bleed and burn ... Dragonmen must fly when threads are in the sky") which I had expected to have a more serious sound to it - instead it has a lilting, light feel to it, but memorable. Others, such as "Lessa's Ride" and "Duty Song" are just wonderful to hear for the first time. The instrumentals scattered throughout are great toe-tappers and would be great to dance to. And I must say that "The Question Song" is just as haunting as I had expected ... I actually get chills listening to it.
The Masterharper of Pern and Sunset's Gold have been available for some time now. And, while I can not tell you why I delayed so long in purchasing these CD's, I will say that I am absolutely thrilled to have them. I will also say that, as I prepare to read the entire series again, I am looking forward to being able to hear, in my mind as well as on my stereo, these songs as I re-read the stories that inspired them.
If you are a Dragonrider at heart, if you long to stand on the scorching sands of the hatching grounds, if your hearts desire is to fly a fighting dragon spouting flame and searing thread mid-air, if you can imagine having a fire-lizard curled up by your head when you sleep, or if you aspire to the Harper Hall itself ... you must have this CD. It's that simple."