Annotation:Harmonious Blacksmith (The)

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HARMONIOUS BLACKSMITH, THE (Y Gof Du). Welsh. This Welsh air was arranged with variations for harpsichord by the great composer George Frideric Handel. It is said that he came to Whitchurch on the Welsh borders and there had to take shelter from a downpour in a village smithy. Overhearing the smith singing this tune in Welsh as he worked at his anvil, the composer was so taken with it he felt compelled to memorize it. "The Harmonious Blacksmith" was Handel's name for the air; Y Gof Du means "The Blacksmith" in Welsh.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources:

Recorded sources: Flying Fish FF70610, Robin Huw Bowen - "Telyn Berseiniol fy Ngwlad/Welsh Music on the Welsh Triple Harp" (1996).




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