Carl Hardebeck facts for kids

Carl Gilbert Hardebeck (born December 10, 1869 – died February 10, 1945) was a talented musician. He was born in Britain but became a famous Irish composer. He was especially good at arranging traditional Irish music.

Carl Hardebeck's Life Story

Carl Hardebeck was born in Clerkenwell, London. His father was German, and his mother was Welsh. Carl lost his eyesight when he was a baby. He went to a special school for blind students in London. This was the Royal Normal School for the Blind, from 1880 to 1892.

At school, Carl showed a great talent for music. His teacher, Frederick Corder, was a professor from the Royal Academy of Music.

Moving to Ireland

In 1893, when Carl was 24, he moved to Belfast, Ireland. He tried to open a music shop, but it didn't work out. So, he became the organist at a church called Holy Family Church.

Carl entered a music competition in Dublin in 1897. It was called the Feis Ceoil. He won a prize for his song O God of My Salvation. At this event, he first heard traditional Irish folk songs arranged for orchestras. He won another prize at the 1901 Feis Ceoil for a large musical piece called The Red Hand of Ulster. Carl's wife, Mary Reavy, passed away in 1914.

Teaching and Arranging Music

In 1919, Carl became the director of a music school in Cork. By 1922, he was the first professor of Irish music at University College Cork. He wasn't very good at managing things, so he left after one year.

He then returned to Belfast, which had become the capital of Northern Ireland. In 1932, Carl finally settled in Dublin. He worked for An Gúm, a government publisher in Ireland. His job was to arrange traditional Irish songs for piano and choirs. Many of these arrangements were used to teach music in schools across the new Republic of Ireland. He also taught Irish language and traditional music for two years. Carl often judged singing and music competitions all over Ireland.

Becoming an Irish Nationalist

Even though Carl had a mixed background, he became a strong Irish nationalist. This happened after events like the 1913 Dublin Lock-out, World War I, and the 1916 Easter Rising. He once said, "I believe in God, Beethoven and Patrick Pearse". He learned the Irish language and collected folk songs. He created special arrangements that blended traditional Irish music with classical styles.

Carl's Final Years

Carl Hardebeck passed away in 1945. A special concert was held in Dublin to honor him. It started with his orchestral piece Seoithín Seó. He had a state funeral, which means it was a very important event. Many government officials and leaders attended. Carl's own music, Kyrie and Agnus Dei, was played at the funeral. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

The Irish National League of the Blind sent their sympathy to Carl's family. They hoped that the country would remember his important contributions to Irish culture and music.

Carl's Look and Character

Carl Hardebeck was a big, strong man, but he was also shy. He was described as handsome, except for his bald head and the dark round glasses he always wore. Later in life, he had bronchitis.

Carl spoke with a clear accent from Northern Ireland. He called everyone "boss." He would often say, "If I had my sight, boss, I'd be conducting an orchestra on a cruiser." This showed his big dreams.

He once played the organ in a church in Belfast. It was very cold, and his bald head got chilly. Carl asked if he could wear a priest's black hat, called a beretta. He got permission, but it confused everyone!

At home in Dublin, Carl played his amazing Irish melodies on a Schiedmayer harmonium. This instrument had a special "percussion" sound that Carl used very well. He also owned a piano but preferred the harmonium. Carl was an expert on plainchant, which is a type of old church music.

Cathal Gannon, a famous harpsichord maker, was a close friend of Carl's. Carl taught him how to understand classical symphonies and concertos. He also shared his love for Irish melodies with Cathal.

Carl's Recognition

Sadly, Carl Hardebeck has not received much attention. He was one of the key people who helped bring Irish music back to life. After he died, he was largely forgotten. This might have been because of his mixed background and where he was born.

His orchestral arrangement of The Lark in the Clear Air was a beautiful piece. But he sold it for a very small amount of money.

In June 2013, a special plaque was put up at Holy Family Church in Belfast to remember him. You can see a video of the ceremony here.

Carl's Music

Carl Hardebeck wrote many different kinds of music.

Cantata

• The Red Hand of Ulster (1901): This was a large piece for singers and an orchestra.

Songs with Piano

• Nualldhubhadh Dhéirdre / Deirdre's Lament (1904): This song had Irish words and an English translation by Carl.
• Gems of Melody (Seóda Ceoil). A Collection of Old Irish Airs: A collection of old Irish tunes with words by different writers.
• Fuinn Fiadha Fuinidh (1936): Songs with Irish words.
• The Ould Piper: An original song with English words.
• The Foggy Dew (c.1919): A song with words by "Iascaire." You can find the music online.
• Maidin ar an Drúcht (1936): An arrangement of a traditional folk song.
• Éirigh Suas, a Stóirín (1940): Another arrangement of a traditional folk song.

Choral Music

• Raftery, the Poet (1913): A song for male voices without instruments.
• Och, Och, Eirigh Leigeas Ó! (1937): An arrangement of a folk song for three equal voices.
• Frínseach Tighe Róin (1938): An arrangement of a folk song for a four-part mixed choir.

Instrumental Music

• Cnuasacht Port agus Cor do'n bPiano (1921): A collection of jigs and reels for the piano. You can find the music online.
• Ceol na nGaedheal (1937): Music for flute or tin whistle. The music is online.
• Seoithín seó (1950): Music for a small orchestra.

Recordings of Carl's Music

Many of Carl Hardebeck's works have been recorded by different artists:

• Dómhnaillín Ó Dómhnalláin, Roisín Dubh, Sile ni Gadhra: Recorded by Veronica Dunne and others in 1955.
• The Song of Glen Dún: Performed by Bernadette Greevy in c. 1963.
• Frinseach Tighe Roin, Seo-Tho-lo-Thoil, Luibin O Luth, Sile ni Ghadhra: Performed by the RTÉ Singers in 1965.
• Shaun O'Neill: Recorded by Veronica Dunne in 1968.
• The Song of Glen Dún, A Dandlin' Song: Performed by Bernadette Greevy and Hugh Tinney in 1998.
• The Coulin, Ned of the Hills, Drumin Don Deelish: Recorded by Michael McFarlane in 2005.
• Sal Oge Ruadh, The Red-Haired Man's Wife: Recorded by Michael McFarlane in 2007.
• The Fair Hills of Eire O, The Unspoken Farewell, Una Bhan (Fair Una): Recorded by Michael McFarlane in 2010.

Carl's Music in Movies

Carl Hardebeck's funny song The Ould Piper was used in the movie The Canterbury Tales by Pasolini. It plays at the beginning of the movie. One of the characters, played by Ninetto Davoli, often hums it. The song is about an old piper from Ballymoney who sings so badly that he annoys both Moses and Satan!