John_Egan_(harp_maker)

John Egan (harp maker)

John Egan (harp maker)

Irish musical instrument maker (fl. 1804–1838)

John Egan was an Irish musical instrument maker active during the years 1804 to 1838,[1] who is considered by many as the father of the modern Irish harp. According to Simon Chadwick, honorary secretary of the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, "The ancient Irish harp tradition, which goes back to medieval times, was dying out around 1800. Egan invented a completely new romantic type of Irish harp, which was very successful, and which formed the basis of all subsequent revivals."[2]

Portable harp made by John Egan, photographed in 1819

Egan overcame the restrictions of the traditional Irish harp by adding the dital tuning mechanism and pliable catgut strings of the European pedal harps, calling his creation "portables". Of the c.2000 harps Egan made, only 37 are known to exist. Although they are not considered as priceless as a Stradivarius violin, for instance, they are considered classic instruments, and have been priced as high as US$24,000.[2][3][4]

References

  1. [1]
    Foley, Catherine: "Egan John", in: The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland, ed. by Harry White and Barra Boydell (Dublin: UCD Press, 2013), p. 346.
  2. [2]
    "For a Rare Discarded Harp, a Chance to Sing Again ", Colin Moynihan, New York Times, August 10, 2009
  3. [3]
    "Early Gaelic Harp Info: history (19th Century)", Simon Chadwick, Early Gaelic Harp Info, January 16, 2005
  4. [4]
    "Harp, John Egan, about 1820. Museum no. 332-1882 - Victoria and Albert Museum", Victoria and Albert Museum Archived 2010-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
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