Dennis' Waltz: Hammered dulcimer gems and classics by Christina Connell

info, March 2005

THE CD

A rare glimpse of the hammered dulcimer as a solo instrument--colorful, ringing, soulful, nostalgic....

Waltzes, old-time, previously unrecorded classical tunes, and original arrangements. Enjoy!

THE TUNES

The Westphalia Waltz is a commonly played waltz in old-time music circles in the Midwest. The Lauterbach is a less common, but very pretty traditional waltz. Some folks have commented the ending is a bit like the Doggie in the Window song!

Dennis' Waltz was written by the performer, Christina Connell, for husband Dennis, who put together her first dulcimer, designed the CD cover, and made her dulcimer hammers. It has become a popular tune played by SW Missouri band, Homemade Jam, of which Christina is a member.

The Courante from the Bach Cello Suite was first learned by the performer on the French horn (!). She then adapted it to the hammered dulcimer, to which it is nicely suited.

Si Bheag, Si Mhor, is a favorite Celtic tune, attributed to Turlough O'Carolan, Irish harpist of the 1700's. It is a favorite of many dulcimer players and concert-goers.

The Handel Chaconne Variations were edited by Professor Karl-Heinz Schickhaus, German-born hackbrett (hammered dulcimer) solosist and teacher, and are performed with his kind permission. They are well duited to the dulcimer.

The Andante from Handel's Glockenspiel Sonata is also from a Schickhaus edition of classical music for hackbrett.

Planxty Irwin is another O'Carolan favorite, with a waltz-like feel.

The Triplet Variations are an arrangement (by the performer) of the Handel Andante.

Morning Has Broken is a very old Gaelic tune, sung in churches as well as in popular concerts.

The Beaumont Rag can be heard on bluegrass, old-time and ragtime concerts. It is arranged with 2 variations.

The Glockenspiel Waltz was composed by the performer, with the harmonies based on the lovely harmonies of the Handel Andante.

How Great Thou Art is the name given to a Swedish folk tune, with gospel words added. This is an instrumental arrangement. The tune is very popular at gospel concerts.

De Colores was learned by the performer when working at the Ghost Ranch in Northern New Mexico. It was taught to her by Rosie McCall, who taught her the tune in Spanish.

Rock the Cradle, Joe, was learned by the performer from dulcimer player, Rick Thum. She adapted it to fit in with an old lullaby.

THE HAMMERED DULCIMER AS A SOLO INSTRUMENT

Its many charms often hidden to the listener, the hammered dulcimer is most often played in old-time string bands (for newcomers, it has 50 plus strings, and is hit with hammers). Here, however, its ringing tone comes to the forefront. Its sounds are sometimes compared to a harp, a guitar, a piano. It has its own unique qualities, though, as you will quickly hear.

THE ARTIST

Christina Connell completed a Bachelor's (University of New Mexico) and a Master's (Yale School of Music) in music performance. She played horn professionally in Norway, Iceland, Australia, and in the U.S.

In the late 1990's, she started playing the hammered dulcimer. She has taught workshops at acoustic music festivals including Summerfest, StringFling, and the Indian Territory Dulcimer Club in Tulsa. She plays with a local group called Homemade Jam and is current president of the Ozark Wilderness Dulcimer Club in SW Missouri.

In 2003, she entered and won the state hammered dulcimer championship at the Sawdust Festival in Bennington, OK. She recorded her first CD, Dennis' Waltz, in December, 2003/ January 2004, with husband Dennis Connell producing the beautiful CD cover. He also made the dulcimer hammers.

LISTENER REVIEWS

This is superb. Pure, clear, hammered dulcimer music. A great collection beautifully played. The title tune is one of the prettiest I have ever heard, and the first time recorded. Truly an above average CD.--D.C., Missouri, 3/04

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love the CD. What a difference a professional makes playing the dulcimer ... I played it twice right away and was so pleased with it, so I'm keeping it on the player with the James Galway and

Irish Melodies which I play a lot... There are certain ones I just love to play over and over and Christina's is surely one of them too.--Edna T., Ohio, 4/04

What a great variety of styles! Usually I get a CD and all the tunes sound similar. Not here. S.T., New Mexico, 4/04

I am listening to your cd as I type. I am amazed at the wonderful sound.I love the classical stuff on your hammer. It adds a distinct flavor.--Andrea B., Seneca, MO, 3/04

Bravo! K.H.S., Austria, 3/04.

Love that CD. It's given me an incentive to practice again. L.B., dulcimer student, 2/04

The CD is just superb and I thank you. It will be a cherished addition to my CD collection. All of the selections are fascinating, but my favorites are nos. 5 (Chaconne) and 14 (Rock the Cradle, Joe.) . B. V., New Mexico, 4/04

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