I want to say a massive thank you for such a wonderful performance of my piece “Barefoot and Free” at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. It was played beautifully, I’m really thrilled! It was great to have such a big audience, and especially an audience of harpists, I am very grateful to you for this fantastic opportunity.
I also want to thank you for your hospitality. I have been so well looked after
and everyone has been so friendly, welcoming, and generally lovely!
I really hope that we will be able to work together again in the future, and
that Barefoot will receive another performance one day. In the meantime, I’ll
let you know when I’ve uploaded my recording.
Alison Wrenn, Composer, 11th April 2012
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Just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful concert at The Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch tonight. Such a magical sound to hear so many harps playing together, and the different styles of music – we all enjoyed it immensely and hope to see you back in Essex soon.
Karen Bird, 3rd April 2013
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Jean and I were fortunate enough to have been at the St David’s Day concert in the Concert Hall at Poole. When we read that the Harp Ensemble were to give a concert the idea appealed to us. Little did we know how enjoyable the ‘sound of a thousand strings’ would be. The musical sounds produced by such a talented group of players, together with Luisa-Maria’s enthusiasm and personality meant that the evening’s entertainment far exceeded our expectations; the icing on the cake being Faryl’s beautiful singing. Congratulations to you all, please come again soon and listen to the seagulls!! The only downside was the many empty seats in the auditorium, what a treat all those absent patrons missed. Well done.
Jean and Roy Lockyer, 2nd March 2013
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“Congratulations to you all for a brilliant day on Friday recording at Holy Cross Church, Greenford for Songs of Praise. As usual you rose to the challenge and despite the cold delivered brilliantly. All parties involved are very pleased so well done.”
Luisa Cordell, Musical Director of The International Harp Ensemble. 23rd February 2013
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” The Haywards Heath concert was magical. My 5 year granddaughter now wants a harp instead of a pony!”
Anonymous, 8th December 2012.
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“Just wanted to say how lovely it was to meet you in Ashwell on Saturday! The ensemble played beautifully, I was really impressed – not just with their playing but also how well they presented themselves and introduced their items. It was nice to hear a wide variety of musical styles, as well as individuals and small groups.”
Alison Wrenn, Composer 15th October 2012
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“Once again we were overwhelmed by the performance of your gifted, vibrant and enthusiastic Harp Ensemble! It is so rewarding to see and hear such talented youngsters playing seamlessly alongside more experienced musicians and to hear the church filled with such pure and beautiful sound was a moving and memorable experience. Your repertoire was just what our audiences desire and we really enjoyed the vocal pieces too – so much talent! The visual impact of so many harps is stunning, and the flowing movement as a whole has been described as ‘like a ballet’. As you could see, it was a sell-out and we barely managed to squeeze everyone in, but fortunately we didn’t have to turn anyone away. We hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Thanks to your generosity in performing for us we raised £946 for the charities we support, which include Denmead Communicare, Practical Action, Mission to Seafarers, Royal British Legion, Barnabas Fund, Medical Foundation for victims of torture, Refugee Council and Mission Aviation Fellowship, Church Housing Trust, and overseas church links. This is a truly great boost to our fundraising efforts.”
Gill Barge, Denmead Concert Season Organiser 6th October 2012
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“I am proud of all the Ensemble’s tours and 
concerts but I felt this tour was particularly ‘magical’ on and off the concert platform. After the success of the last Albi tour the challenge was to fill the concert venues which we did and to play even better than last time, which you did with magnificent energy and verve! It’s not easy to hold those special silences at the ends of slow sensitive pieces before the audience begins to clap, but we did it! We managed to capture the hearts and minds of 800 people at the Cathedral and 500 at the beautiful Galliac Abbey, that takes a very special ensemble of musicians.You certainly cast a magical spell over the audiences! Well done for a first class tour with plenty of fun and special memories”.
Luisa Cordell, Musical Director of The International Harp Ensemble. 12th August 2012
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“The concert was incredible and the people of Albi have had an unforgettable evening, the standing ovations are fully deserved! I particularly loved ‘The Rose’ as the French are Romantics and I felt that this was the most beautiful version I had ever heard. The ‘Hymn to Albi’ has made a piece of history and will enrich the musical culture of Albi for eternity.”
Philippe Bonnecarrere, Mayor of Albi 7th August , 2012
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The Director of the Cathedral has said that ‘no other musical group including leading Orchestras have managed to fill the Cathedral to full capacity like the Harp Ensemble. The concert was simply amazing!’
August 7th 2012
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Thank you so much Luisa for such a great tour. The Cathedral was amazing! I’ve made so many new friends and I will remember my first tour for ever. I’m looking forward to next year already!
Many thanks again.
Grace Savage, Ensemble member, 13th August 2012
A message from M. Fernandez saying how much the concert was appreciated in Gaillac Abbey – exceptional he says! Thank you Luisa and the ensemble for such a great evening and may you come back next year!!
Ce fut un concert exceptionnel que les gaillacois et albigeois présents ont beaucoup aimé félicitez et remerciez Luisa CORDELL et tous ses musiciens bonne réussite pour la suite, peut être à l’année prochaine,
Le Président de l’Association des Orgues de Gaillac, 12 August 2012
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I was at your delightful concert at Clandon Park this evening, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Having been involved in ensemble music for young people for a
number of years, I was very impressed with the range and confidence of the soloists, as well as the excellent ensemble pieces. Even the least advanced players performed beautifully. It takes a lot of organisation and practice to have a suitable solo piece for each young player!
The sound of the harps (and supporting instruments) in the Marble Hall was beautiful. The accoustics seemed made for this occasion!
I hope you’ll come back to Clandon again.
Ngaire Wadman, Door Steward, 8th July 2012
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Please pass on my thanks to everyone who performed with you on Monday at Polesden Lacey. Everyone I spoke to who heard the harps said you all sounded fantastic! It was a wonderful welcome for visitors to our Jubilee Beacon Lighting Event. We will definitely bear you in mind for future events.
VictoriaPope, Visitor Engagement Officert, Polesden Lacey, 7 June 2012
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Just been to the concert at Catherington Church in Hampshire and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon. You are all so talented.
Regards
Liz Carter, 29 April 2012
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The concert was just wonderful and so spiritual – and the sound made me really emotional . Other people were similarly affected too. It truly must be one of the best concerts our lovely old church has ever experienced. Everyone enjoyed it and they want to know when you will be back again! I hope it won’t be too far away. One lady said to me I really love the sound of the harp and with so many playing at once, it was like a dream come true. I think that sums up many people’s feelings. And another happy thing was that the audience were in no hurry to leave.
Margaret Roberts, 29 April 2012
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What a fantastic concert at Midhurst on St Patrick’s Day. It was great to finally have my Jazz Quartet performing with you and the Harp Ensemble. Comments from the audience were flowing long after the concert had finished and many of them said they could have listened to’ Danny Boy’ over and over. You’ve done a great job putting the ensemble together and I am sure you all have a very exciting and busy future ahead.
All the very best
Ian
Ian Young Quartet, March 2012
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I would like to pass on the sincere thanks of Epworth Choir to the International Harp Ensemble for the fabulous performance last Saturday, at Guildford Cathedral. Very few of us had seen so many harps all together and the Ensemble played brilliantly and looked stunning. You were certainly the highlight of the concert. I’m sure you will be delighted to hear that the concert raised £1,080 for Action for Children. I know that they very much appreciated the donation of money from the sale of your CDs.
Epworth Choir, December 2011
Just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful concert at The Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch tonight. Such a magical sound to hear so many harps playing together, and the different styles of music – we all enjoyed it immensely and hope to see you back in Essex soon.