 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
||||
O'Carolan's Farewell to Music"Hauntingly beautiful ballads and
lilting storytelling...it might spring from the 17th century...but the
play seems as current as the latest troubles in Belfast...Patrick Ball's
acting is fine, his musicianship outstanding...A small gem."
"Richly theatrical...the spell he
casts is hauntingly beautiful...Ball embodies his subject with uncanny
realism...a gem of a show."
An Irish Bard Plucks at Heartstrings
A Poet's Fond Stirring Farewell
Harp Takes Audience on Irish Time
Travels
A Fond Farewell / Salute to Celtic
Harpist Tugs At Heartstrings Oakland Tribune, California Emotional Adieu
Simple Pleasures
A Gem of a Show About the Emerald
Isle
"Patrick Ball's solo performance
summons up multiple characters and the spirit of an era, but it's in his
brilliant playing of the rare wire-strung Celtic harp that the evening
springs to life. The script...richly contextualizes the music...inspired."
"Musically, the show is impeccable.
Ball plays with a passion for the music that is only matched by his skill...Ball
is also a gifted storyteller...As MacCabe, Ball tells the story with warmth
and humor. And then he sits at the harp, and O'Carolan speaks for himself."
The Fine Beauty of the Island"An entrancing play...mystical and
enchanting. Beautiful."
"There may be one person on the stage,
but in The Fine Beauty of the Island...a whole culture appears
before us. Through the voice of his Celtic harp, the lilt of his penny
whistle, and the brogues of a pubful of characters, contemporary bard Patrick
Ball casts a spell...weaving a pageant out of scraps of stories, researched
history, and the raucous dark humor of the Irish. We find ourselves, like
children, fed by his stories and abandoned to imagination. By blending
a personal inner journey with the sensual reality and harsh beauty of the
Blasket
Islands, he created, like the bardic wanderers of old, the story of a vanished
world."
Celtic Harp and Story"An American master of the Irish
instrument, a peripatetic modern day bard, combining tale-telling, history and
music into a seamless compound that reaches all ages and types of listeners."
"It's rare that we will feature a
performer on our fine performances season for two consecutive years, but then
Patrick is a rare artist...The audience was entranced by his harp playing, amused
by his storytelling. Patrick is a grand man who puts on a great show. A warm
and magical performance." "Patrick Ball conjured some Druid
magic...weaving words and music into a spellbinding program."
"The SRO audience loved Mr. Ball's
performance, asking when we will be bringing him back. Ball was a delight
to work with, very professional and he is superb at captivating an audience."
"His concert consisted of ethereally
gorgeous instrumental music and colorful stories. The music, like that
of many Windham Hill artists, painted a feeling with delicate wisps of
sound. But there is something special about the sound of the harp and the
sight of someone playing it. His renditions of musical antiquities were
almost a spiritual experience."
"Ball weaves a pleasant skein of
shanachie tales with a fair bit of wit, but it's just so much string for
his true jewels, the short harp solos. These extremely delicate and gracefully
measured melodies shone like constellations over a moonless heath."
"One of the premier interpreters of
O'Carolan's music today." "Patrick Ball...casts a haunting
spell... a graceful and often bittersweet evocation of the past." "Patrick Ball is the finest interpreter
of traditional Celtic music I have ever heard in my professional career.
His storytelling is wonderful and his entire program combines storytelling
and Celtic harp tunes seamlessly. He is a delightful entertainer."
"Patrick Ball is a real artist; perhaps
a profound one."
"Thank you again for the wonderful
concert and residency at Elon College. I am still getting rave reviews from
all those who attended the performance. Truly your music and stories bridged
the generation gap; students, faculty and community patrons have uniformly shared
enthusiastic comments about the evening. The music was enthralling and the stories
delightful. We all appreciate the opportunity we had to become acquainted with
you and we look forward to having you return to Elon." "Once again, 'Thank you, Thank
you, Thank you' for the wonderful experiences you brought to the audiences of
ASU’s Kerr Cultural Center. The “Coffee at Kerr” you hosted
on Friday morning was both informative and entertaining, the two elements we
strive for in theses presentations. AND Friday evening’s performance was
magical. I received so many wonderful comments from the audience, including
'When is he coming back?' It was a genuine pleasure working with you. I am sincerely
looking forward to our next encounter." "It's some of the most interesting
and heart-stoppingly gorgeous music to come along in some time...Ball plays
with skill and feeling, weaving intricate textures and rendering the centuries-old
material compelling from the first note...The harp itself sounds so glorious
that it's quite understandable why it's reputed to be the instrument of choice
among the angels." "The leading practitioner of O'Carolan's art is Patrick Ball. He systematically explores O'Carolan's prolific output, as well as branching out to other traditions in his laudable and ambitious search of a by-gone Celtic past." Tower Records Pulse! "Patrick Ball plays the ancient,
wire-strung Celtic harp with a sense of magic and refinement that takes
you back to a time when musicwas more direct and powerful in its simplicity."
"The show is a rare treat." Children's ConcertsLos Angeles Music Center Performances “Outstanding! My students were enthralled!” Young Audiences of the Bay Area Performances “Fabulous to work with, talented, warm, approachable and intelligent. He gives each group more than their money’s worth. I learned so much. What a unique program!” “Great performance!” Salt Lake-Moanalua Pubic Library, Oahu, Hawaii University of Hawaii, Manoa Outreach College Performances “Patrick Ball is excellent and a professional in every way. I am honored to have had the opportunity to witness the artist in action!” “Everything went as smoothly as Patrick Ball’s serene artistry on the harp.” Mesa Public Schools, Arizona “Wow! This was a wonderful assembly -- the children were so interested and very well- behaved.” Home • Biography • Discography • Shows • Multimedia • Photo Gallery • News • Reviews • Recent Appearances • Tour Dates • Harps & Harpers • Contact • Press Kit Copyright © 2000-2003 Patrick Ball Web Site Design by Indieanna |