On St. Patrick’s Day this year, I played a harp and violin duo gig for an Irish-themed party. My client hosted his 10th annual potato party and hired us to play for a couple hours. As a thank you, I wanted to write him a planxty, an ode in his name, since he was my patron.
In the 18th Century of Ireland, Turlough O’Carolan was one of the most sought after harpists. He was blind and much of the music we have of his today was recorded through the oral tradition. O’Carolan spent most of his career traveling, or wandering, around Ireland staying for a few days at the houses of the well-to-do and playing music. At the time, harps were as popular in a household as guitars, pianos and keyboards are today. So, it was also with these concerts that a touring harper would also stay to instruct members of the family on how to play. At the end of the visit, O’Carolan would sometimes present the head of the household or a family member, with a musical gift (or tribute). This piece of music for the patron composed specially for the occasion was called a “planxty”.
The word planxty means “harp tune of a sportive and animated character” according to the OED. However, the word itself does not sound very Celtic or Gaelic in origin to me, which is why it first caught my ear. There is speculation that it may have Greek origins, and it also has connotations to be specifically for the harp.
Merriam Webster says, its an Irish melody for the harp written in triplets and slower than the jig. There is also inquisition into if planxties are of a particular style. Most of the O’Carolan planxties are in 6-8 time, but there are many in 2-4, 4-4 and 3-4, so it’s not necessarily a specific dance form or meter. No matter its definition, I find it to be an intriguingly antiquated word.
In essence, a planxty is a praise tune for a particular person. It is a tribute to one who is a sponsor, a patron, an inspiration, or in the day of the life of a modern American harpist – a man in Renton, WA of Irish descent who likes to party on St. Patrick’s Day and hire live traditional music. I have finished writing the song and will share it here in a future post.
Footnotes:
Some favorite O’Carolan planxties: Planxty Lord George Brabazon; Planxty Irwin aka Colonel John Irwin; Fanny Power; Bridget Cruise
Sources:
https://thesession.org
