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Classic FM brought their Classic FM Live concert to Wales for the very first time. This evening at Wales Millennium Centre, the line up of Claire Jones, Tenor Wynne Evans and pianist HJ Lim, accompanied by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, performed to a packed out auditorium.

As a wedding gift to Claire, who is an ambassador for international jewellery brand Clogau, the company based in Wales made bespoke wedding rings for Claire and Chris.

"I'm overwhelmed by Clogau's generosity and by the beauty and craftsmanship of the rings. They are just perfect. We will treasure them always." Said Claire.

Today, Claire Jones and her fiancé, musician and composer Chris Marshall tied the knot. The beautiful wedding service at Blaenffos Chapel near Claire's childhood home in Crymych was attended by friends, family and some famous friends from the world of music and fashion, including Connie Fisher and David Emanuel who designed Claire's stunning wedding gown.

With music in their blood, Jones and Marshall, who met at the Royal Academy of Music, had been carefully selecting the entertainment for their big day and it was certainly a musical event, featuring a 50 strong local choir, solo violinist, numerous harpists a brass quintet,  and three bands during the evening. 

Chris Marshall wrote the beautiful theme 'Heartstrings' as a gift for Claire on their engagement in Rio. It has become one of the most popular downloads from Claire's album on the Classic FM Label 'Girl with the Golden Harp'.

Harpist Claire Jones is preparing for the busiest week of her life – she’s releasing an album and getting married. She takes time out of her last-minute plans to chat to Karen Price

WHEN most women get engaged, they are more than happy to receive a diamond ring.

But harpist Claire Jones was presented with something a little more unique after a romantic proposal in Rio de Janeiro.

For her musician boyfriend, Chris Marshall, composed a piece of music especially for her called Heartstrings. It now features on her new album, The Girl With The Golden Harp, which is released by Classic FM on Monday – just five days before the couple marry in West Wales.

“After the proposal we were driving around Rio when Chris told me he had another gift for me,” says the former royal harpist. “He told me he had already composed a piece that he wanted to mark that day (the proposal).

“The first time I heard it was when we returned to the UK as it was programmed into his computer. I loved it – it has a strong love theme in the middle and the bits on the outer edges are just magical.

“And the first time I heard it being played live was during the recording for the album. That was a big day. It’s the best present I’ve ever had. It will last forever.”

The album was recorded at a church in Kilburn, north London, in May with the English Chamber Orchestra.

The tracks include opera favourites like O Mio Babbino Caro and Flower Duet as well as a selection of Welsh favourites like Ar Hyd y Nos.

It’s Jones’ hope that the album takes the harp to a new generation of listeners.

“It’s been my long held dream to release an album that brings the harp to a broader audience,” says the 27-year- old, who grew up in Crymych, Pembrokeshire, and spent four years as official harpist to the Prince of Wales.

“This is an album to relax with at the end of a busy day. The repertoire is very accessible and shows the harp in a different light. We’ve picked famous numbers from the opera world which people would instantly recognise and I obviously wanted some Welsh stuff on there as well.

“With the Puccini number (O Mio Babbino Caro) the harp grows as you move into variations of tone. It really makes the harp sing. I’m playing acrobatics with the harp really.”

As well as working on the album, Jones has been planning her wedding, which takes place on September 8 at Blaenffos Chapel, near Crymych, followed by a reception at the Cliff Hotel in Gwbert.

“It’s been challenging having two major things to plan at the same time but it’s been double the excitement,” she says. “We’re just keeping our fingers crossed for good weather for the wedding now.”

The rings are being made by Clogau Gold and the couple helped design them. The bride’s dress was designed by David Emanuel.

“He has got it down to a T,” she says. “He knows me so well – he knows the elegance I want and the style I’m after.”

With music in their blood, Jones and Marshall, who met at the Royal Academy of Music, have been carefully selecting the entertainment for their big day and it will feature a brass quintet, a 50-piece choir and three bands during the evening. There will also be harpists performing, although the bride admits she won’t be picking up the instrument herself.

“I think I’m going to have a day off that day,” she laughs.

Although they haven’t booked a honeymoon, the new Mr and Mrs Marshall are going to spend a few days in Wales after their nuptials before returning to their home in West Drayton and their hectic work schedules.

Since performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last year – one of her final duties as the Prince of Wales’ harpist – Jones’ profile has risen, particularly internationally.

“People overseas are just besotted by the fact that you played at such a big event,” she says. “I’ll always be grateful to the Prince of Wales for providing me with such a great platform. Our first wedding gift to arrive was from him and the Duchess of Cornwall and they also sent us a lovely letter wishing us all the best.”

Among her forthcoming international appointments are two concerts in Hong Kong in October and recitals in both America and China next spring.

“International work is what I wanted to aim for and it’s now coming true.”

And with her new album and a wedding just days away, it seems that everything is coming together for the harpist.


REPRODUCED BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE WESTERN MAIL

                                                                         
Classical Harpist Claire Jones Releases

The Girl With The Golden Harp

 

·      New album from the former Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales

·      Celebrating the biggest year of her life, harpist Claire Jones releases her album in the same week that she is set to marry fellow musician Chris Marshall in her home village in west Wales

·      Released on 3rd September 2012 through Classic FM

 

A year on from playing at the wedding celebration of the century – that of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace – popular Welsh classical harpist Claire Jones announces a doubly special occasion: the release of her brand new classical album for Classic FM, The Girl With The Golden Harp, and her own nuptials to fellow musician and composer Chris Marshall, who arranged the music for the album.

Claire Jones is one of the highest profile classical harpists working today. She releases her new album through Classic FM on 3rd September 2012. Entitled The Girl With The Golden Harp, the album showcases Claire’s virtuosic talent through a beautiful collection of tracks especially arranged for the harp. New versions of popular pieces such as Dvorak’s Song to the Moon and Debussy’s The Girl With the Flaxen Hair will appear alongside a range of carefully chosen traditional Welsh pieces and a brand new original piece written by Claire’s fiancé, composer Chris Marshall. He created this piece, entitled Heartstrings, as a gift to Claire on their engagement in Rio de Janeiro last year.

Featuring accompaniment from the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Stuart Morley and arranged by Chris Marshall, The Girl With The Golden Harp showcases the enchanting sounds of the harp as played by a true star in the making.

The new album arrives after an incredible 12 months for the young musician. She completed her four years as Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales (making her the longest serving Official Harpist to date), during which time she played at over 170 royal engagements and state events as well as performing in private for HM the Queen and members of the Royal Family. Towards the end of her term she was asked to perform at the Royal Wedding, to welcome TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back to Buckingham Palace following their marriage ceremony.

Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength. Claire has performed as a soloist with some of the world’s leading orchestras and in many major concert halls. She has performed with some of the biggest names in the Classical Music industry including renowned flautist Sir James Galway, Julian Lloyd Webber, Bryn Terfel, Alfie Boe and Sir Neville Marriner.

Speaking ahead of the release, Claire Jones commented: “It’s been my long held dream to release an album that brings the harp to a broader audience. This is an album to relax with at the end of a busy day. This blend of repertoire and the support of Classic FM give the harp the best chance it has ever had of confirming its place as a solo concert instrument, and gaining a new and enthusiastic audience of music lovers. For me, the process has been a joy, I hope listeners will hear that through the music.”



Album Track List

1. Softly Awakes My Heart

2. The Girl with the Flaxen Hair

3. All Through the Night

4. Song to the Moon

5. Glasgow Love Theme from Love

             Actually

6. O Mio Babbino Caro

7. Flower Duet

8. Lisa Lan

9. Poem

10. Watching The Wheat

11. Piano Concerto No. 2 -

             2nd Movement (Shostakovich)

12. Heartstrings

13. La Source

14.       Themes from Eugene Onegin

---ENDS---

For further information, please contact House PR:


Ffion Williams / Catherine Webb

0207 291 3039 / 0207 291 3033

ffion@housepr.com / catherine@housepr.com

 

ABOUT CLASSIC FM

Global Radio’s classical music radio station, Classic FM attracts an audience of 5.5 million people each week*. Programmes are hosted by a diverse range of broadcasters and musicians including John Suchet, Alan Titchmarsh, Myleene Klass, Alex James and Margherita Taylor. Since its launch in 1992, Classic FM has aimed to break down the barriers to classical music and in so doing introduce an entirely new audience to the genre. The station seeks constantly to expand its listener base through ground-breaking new audience initiatives and partnerships. Classic FM is available across the UK on 100 - 102 FM, digital and online at classicfm.com.

(*Source: RAJAR: Q2 2012)

Claire is very pleased to announce the release of her new album with Classic FM label on September 3rd 2012. The tracks gathered on this album are a blend of well-known themes from the world of classical music, opera and film, chosen because they particularly lend themselves to the harp. Others are new arrangements of Welsh folksongs that aim to do something just a little bit different with these well-loved tunes The album was arranged by Chris Marshall, who also composed 'Heartstrings' which features on the album. Chris gave this as a special gift to Claire when he proposed last year underneath the Statue of Christ in Rio De Janeiro, and the couple will be getting married in Pembrokeshire 5 days following the release of the album, on the 8th of September this year.

Two of Wales’ gold standard international exports have joined forces to raise the Nations’ profile internationally. Clogau Gold have welcomed the internationally renowned concert harpist Claire Jones as one of their international ambassadors. She joins the ranks of Bryn Terfel and 737 Challenge pioneer Richard Parks who have also supported the brand.

Claire, known to many as the ‘golden girl of the harp world’, a title coined when she was Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales between 2007 and 2011, is delighted to support the brand. Commenting on the announcement she said “Clogau is a business firmly rooted in the culture of Wales and inspired by our landscape. It is also successfully growing a strong international reputation. I think we complement each other perfectly, and I’m very proud to be the face of their new Heartstrings collection.”

Claire is recognised as one of Wales' most outstanding young talents. She is supported by the Victor Salvi Foundation. In 2010, Claire released thee albums including the ‘Highgrove Suite’ whivh achieved success in the Classical Charts and her album of Harp Concertos which attracted great critical acclaim. She has just returned from a short concert tour in Switzerland with internationally renowned flautist, Sir James Galway and is preparing to record several new albums this spring, and is planning concert tours of Oman and America later this year.

Jewellery will play a big role in Claire’s year ahead as she’ll be getting married to her fiancé, percussionist Chris Marshall in September. Managing Director for Clogau gold, Ben Roberts said, “Clogau is proud to work with an artist so committed to the preservation of Welsh heritage, high standards of excellence and global expansion; values and vision that also make Clogau one of the most successful jewellery brands in the UK and overseas.”

Brand Manager, Sonia Menezes adds “We see this as a long-term partnership with Claire and it’s a two way thing. Its one of our most exciting collaborations to date. We plan to work on a variety of projects with Claire. One of the first and most important will be to help Claire and Chris create some very special wedding rings, forged in Wales.”

Clogau will run a harp inspired campaign featuring Jones, to tie in with the launch of the ‘Heartstrings’ collection, beautiful harp & heart themed pieces in yellow gold and silver, touched with Clogau’s signature rose gold. Beautiful photographs showing Claire with her Salvi Harp, wearing the Heartstrings jewellery were taken at a recent photoshoot in Fonmon Castle, South Glamorgan. They will form the centerpiece for the marketing campaign along with a film currently being made which follows a month in Claire’s life as she jets around to perform in concerts across the world. The collection will be launched at Spring Fair in Birmingham in early 

A partnership forged in Wales, cast in gold

Two of Wales’ gold standard international exports have joined forces to raise the Nations’ profile internationally. Clogau Gold have welcomed the internationally renowned concert harpist Claire Jones as one of their international ambassadors. She joins the ranks of Bryn Terfel and 737 Challenge pioneer Richard Parks who have also supported the brand.

Claire, known to many as the ‘golden girl of the harp world’, a title coined when she was Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales between 2007 and 2011 is delighted to support the brand. Commenting on the announcement she said “Clogau is a business firmly rooted in the culture of Wales and inspired by our landscape. It is also successfully growing a strong international reputation. I think we’re a great fit, and I’m very proud to be the face of their new Heartstrings collection.”

Claire is recognised as one of Wales' most outstanding young talents. She is also supported by the Victor Salvi Foundation, the Cork Fund, the Countess of Munster Trust, and the Harriet Cohen Memorial Music Award. In 2010, Claire released 3 albums. The second album release and private premiere was the ‘Highgrove Suite’ at HRH's residence, Highgrove House - a work written in celebration of the work of the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts by Patrick Hawes. She has just returned from a short concert tour in Austria with internationally renowned flautist, Sir James Galway and is preparing to record some new albums this spring, and a concert tour of America later this year.

Jewellery will play a big role in Claire’s year ahead as she’ll be getting married to her long time boyfriend, percussionist Chris Marshall in September. Managing Director for Clogau gold, Ben Roberts said, “Clogau is proud to work with an artist so committed to the preservation of Welsh heritage, high standards of excellence and global expansion; values and vision that also make Clogau one of the most successful jewellery brands in the UK and overseas”

Brand Manager, Sonia Menezes adds “We see this as a long-term partnership with Claire and it’s a two way thing. Its one of our most exciting collaborations to date. We plan to work on a variety of projects with Claire. One of the first and most important will be to help Claire and Chris create some very special wedding rings, forged in Wales.”

Clogau will run a harp inspired campaign featuring Jones, to tie in with the launch of the ‘Heartstrings’ collection, beautiful harp & heart themed pieces in yellow gold and silver, touched with Clogau’s signature rose gold. Beautiful photographs showing Claire with her Salvi Harp, wearing the Heartstrings jewellery were taken at a recent photoshoot in Fonmon Castle, South Glamorgan. They will form the centerpiece for the marketing campaign along with a film currently being made which follows a month in Claire’s life as she jets around to perform in concerts across the world. The collection will be launched at Spring Fair in Birmingham in early February.

Claire Jones, The former official Harpist to the Prince of Wales, met Jackson at a charity event to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Samuel L Jackson was the compere for the evening while Claire was performing with Michael Bolton.

Much to Claire’s surprise, the multi-award winning actor professed a great love for the harp: “He told me that the harp was the very first instrument he saw as a child. His mother showed it to him when they were somewhere and he’s been fascinated by the instrument ever since.

“He was fascinated by the harp, totally entranced by it, so I gave him a short lesson during the interval – he was quite good, and very charming! I don’t know if he’ll take it any further, but it would be great to see more ‘tough guys’ taking up the instrument. There are lots of fantastic male harpists, but there is still a tendency to think of harpists as women. It would be great to have a strong male figure inspire a generation of boys to take up the harp.”

This week, Claire travels to Hong Kong to play with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, where the performance will include works for harp by Karl Jenkins and Bach.

The last time Claire Jones was conducted by Sir Neville Marriner, she was in the front desk of the first violins, for a 10th Anniversary concert of The National Youth Strings Academy, London in 2005. In August this year, she’ll no longer be playing second fiddle, instead, Claire will take centre stage on the instrument with which she’s made her name worldwide, the harp. On August 13th at St John’s Smith Square, London, Claire, dubbed by the media ‘The golden girl of the harp world’, will perform the public premiere of the Highgrove Suite with the National Youth Strings Academy, under the baton of the esteemed conductor Sir Neville Marriner. The Highgrove Suite is a piece close to Claire’s heart. It began life when, at the beginning of her engagement as HRH The Prince of Wales’s Official Harpist, she asked Patrick Hawes to work with her on a piece for the Prince’s 60th Birthday celebrations. It was a piece inspired by a statue in the Prince’s garden at Highgrove, ‘Goddess of the Woods’. The Prince was delighted and so was born an idea to extend it into a full harp concerto, the first commissioned by the Prince. The result is the Highgrove Suite. It received its royal premiere at Highgrove in June 2010 as part of a charity event hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales for invited guests. This performance on 13th August will be the public premiere of the piece - recorded on the Classic FM label - which topped the classical CD charts last summer. “I’m looking forward to performing with the National Youth Strings Academy again, and of course I’m really excited to be working with Sir Neville Marriner. I don’t think I ever imagined back in 2005 when I was playing the violin in the strings section that I might be a guest solo harpist at one of their concerts 12 years later!” Tickets for the performance range from £12 - £18 and are now on sale via the St John Smith Square Box Office on 02072221061 or online via www.sjss.org.uk