Harpist Minneapolis St. Paul Harp Reuben Correa, Minnesota, Weddings, Worship, Parties, Harp Lessons, Funerals, Composer, Harp Recordings: Buy

Sea Whisperings is Still Reuben's Favorite CD. It is his first recording and was recorded on a harp that he built himself over a period of 4 months initially, though it took him about two years to put the finishing decorating touches to it.
He wanted the harp to look like it had been built in the Renaissance Period so that he could perform with it in the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
The picture on the cover was taken at Malaga Cove, in Southern California just South of where he grew up.
He loved this setting because of the dramatic rocks and waves and all of the memories he has from playing with his friends and brothers in the canyon above the cove. They named the canyon above Malaga Cove "Pee-Water Canyon" because the little stream that ran through the bottom of it had yellow water caused by algae growing in the stream bed.


Reuben & his brother climbed down the treacherous little zig - zag trail with harp, stool, and cameras to the rock strewn beach to get this dramatic shot.

This CD contains nine of his original Compositions:

1. SEA WHISPERINGS:
The title piece is a composition about the mystique of the sea with ocean waves and pulsing currents,

2. SPECIAL FRIENDS
Is a piece that describes the meeting of his future wife, with all of the bells and whistles, small steps toward a relationship, & building the relationship of togetherness...

3. FANTASY ON THE THEME: GREENSLEEVES
Reuben shares his rendition of Greensleeves as if you were hearing it back in the Renaissance era. Then he slowly modernizes it and finishes with the piece sounding as if it is played by mysterious thrumming spanish guitars with only a couple gentle glissandos to remind the listener that it is actually still being played on a harp....

4. MEDITATION IN A CANDLE'S GLOW
One of Reuben's Original pieces which has a warm feeling using slow arpeggios to create a comforting feeling. Reuben actually composed this piece sitting in a darkened room with a single candle light. With this music he tries to capture the solitude of the single focal point as well as the weaving and flickering of the flame in unseen air currents.

5. MINUET KAROLINA
An original composition. It is a cheerful, happy melody that Reuben wrote for his wife which was inspired by the life they enjoyed when they were first married.
Karolina is the German form of her name, given to her by the wife of the Burgermeister of Masholder, the tiny town they lived in.

6. TREES AND HILLS AND FLOWERS A'BLOOM


7. Mis Hermanos

8. Meditation of the Winds

9. Be Thou My Vision

10. Theme of Hope

11. The Delightful Spring Day!

BONUS TRACKS
1. Canon in D

2. Prelude in C

3. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring


Also included is: Be Thou My Vision,
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, A transcription of Prelude in C and an arrangement of Canon in D transposed to the key of G because that's his favorite key to play in.(just in case you tried to play along with the cd and it didn't sound right.)

Reuben’s heart lies in using his music for healing purposes.

Rock of Ages is a recording that is an extention of this philosophy. It is at once an improvisational offering that provides an approximately 45 minute continuous solo folk harp commentary of beautiful music using diverse techniques and encompassing the full range of the harp.

It has been attributed to the relief of many physical ailments specifically one lady contacted Reuben to tell him that his music helped relieve her rapid leg syndrome condition. So much so that she had to request an emergency copy since she had lost hers in a move.

Mantle of Peace is Reuben Correa's Christmas / Winter recording containing his arrangements of traditional carols, Classical pieces, and two of his original compositions.

The title is reflective of this time of the year as the pure white snow falls silently and muffles sounds into a quiet peaceful murmur. To Reuben it becomes a peaceful, sparkling Mantle covering everything.

Reuben ventured out into the frozen tundra of Minnesota after an ice storm, with his camera and hung a golden harp on the icy branches of several trees and bushes before choosing the right picture for this recording.

Reuben sends this greeting:
“I’d like to see your eyes light up and your body relax as you enter the realm of the Christmas kingdom of Joy and Peace. I hope that you will be transported away from the hubbub of holiday preparations by the soothing sparkling music of the harp.” RLC

TITLE LIST

1. FANFARE AND CHRISTMAS MEDLEY: O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL AND JOY TO THE WORLD:

The melding of these two favorite carols seemed appropriate to Reuben because they both express the inexplicable joy of Christmas. Reuben joins these two creatively arranged pieces with fanfare interludes to announce each carol.

2. SILENT NIGHT:

Reuben arranges this carol as if the harp is singing different words to each verse. Mr. Correa uses a whole gamut of harpist techniques to convey the happy calm and beautiful thoughts behind each verse.

3. GOOD KING WENCESLAS:

This is both a mystical and lively arrangement. Reuben uses single and double xylophonic plucking to introduce the melody as he moves into the use of dissonance to move the music along. Finally the good king gets a little lively with a slight bit of syncopation, presumeably from the joy of the season, or who knows maybe they had coffee back then?

4. JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING:

Reuben loves this piece though it is not technically a Christmas piece.
The versatility of this music is great because it makes a festive appearance all through the year. In fact this so true that when Mantle of Peace came out, people wanted to hear this music all year long. Mr. Correa decided to use it, as well as Canon in D and Prelude in C as a bonus piece on his Sea Whisperings cd.
It is at once a celebration of simple melody with a light accompaniment.

5. INTERNATIONAL PARTY MIX:

I Saw Three Ships -
England,
A burst of sound like the waves spraying high against the bow of a ship is what Reuben pictures in his mind.

O Come O Come Emmanuel -
Latin,
A mysterious piece in a minor key gives this song an almost chant like feel.

The First Noel -
England,
A happy lyrical light tune of great familiarity.

Lovely is the Dark Blue Sky - Denmark,
A Danish Christmas Carol and inspiration for the color of the cover of this recording.

We Three Kings -
American,
Hear the sway of the camel gait along with the swish of their tails and the trace of falling stars as they arc across the desert sky.

I Saw Three Ships -
England, Reprise and ending.

6. ODE TO JOY:

This is one of Reuben's Favorite Pieces. He has arranged this one to express the joy of the Season with large rolling chords soothing and lifting the spirit as only the harp can do.

7. THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY:

Reuben captures the drumming of the little boy with the melody accompanied by finger drumming on the sound board. Listen closely as the drummer boy passes from left to right as he marches into the night to please the new born King.

8. OH HOLY NIGHT:

Is a very popular piece this year. Reuben's arrangement is at times graceful or dramatic in a very soothing uplifting way.

9. MANTLE OF PEACE:

An original composition by Reuben Correa. This music beholds the promise of God and His love for us. In His love we can experience a covering (mantle) of Peace and under this mantle of peace times of great joy and freedom.

10. CANON IN D:

This is an extremely popular piece. Reuben's arrangement for harp is a slightly abbreviated version in that it doesn't repeat endlessly, yet captures the essence of the piece nicely. It is extremely popular at weddings and makes for a great listen if you stream music while working at your computer.

11. PRELUDE IN C:

A Transcription for harp that is one of the few pieces by Bach that translates well to the lever harp. Bach actually never wrote music for the harp, because the harp of his day didn't have the abilities of the modern harp even the lever harp.
But much of his music can be arranged quite adequately for the harp and indeed sounds quite beautiful on the harp.
Prelude in C is slowed down just a bit and is also recognized by those of the Catholic faith as an Ave Maria as Charles Gounod composed an Ave Maria using Bach's prelude as the frame work for the accompaniment of his composition.

12. SNOWFLAKE LULLABY:

This is an Original Com position by Reuben Correa Copyright 1992 Written expressly for my mom in law. Thanks for your sweet love and encouragement. It is also for all the people who have lost a loved one during the Christmas holiday season. May your sleep be sweet and your pain be healed.

Our Beautiful Baby was recorded in 2000 as a solo unaccompanied harp recording and is a compilation of musical firsts for baby. It is actually recorded for adults and children alike since adults will have to listen to it over and over.
Reuben's Original composition "Chasin' My Tail" about his cat was nominated for Best Solo Instrumental Song in the JPF Music Awards

Reuben recorded it with no surprising very high or very low volumes opting to keep it gently expressive and more conducive to sleep.

It includes: Baby's first Classics The Brahms Lullaby, a special soft arrangement of Ode to Joy, and Sheep May Safely Graze. (the three b's Brahms, Beethoven and Bach)

Baby's first Celtic: Morning is Broken, The Ash Grove, and The Water is Wide.

Baby's first sacred music Medley of Love: Jesus Loves Me, Praise him, Jesus Loves the Little Children, It is Well with My Soul. Also included on the recording are nine of Reuben's original lullabies, and happy and healing songs.

approx 60+ minutes.

PS my son's picture is on the cover he is 6 months old.

Written musical Scores for arrangements or Reuben's original compositions - Only available as printed matter.

Reuben is finally starting release some of the written scores of his original compositions and arrangements. Some of them are found on his recordings others are his private stock of familiar tunes.

These are some of the pieces that are now available from the:

SEA WHISPERINGS CD

Be Thou My Vision (Intermediate) - -
Delightful Spring Day, (easy) - -
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring,
(Intermediate) - -
Mis Hermanos, (Advanced) - -
Prelude in C (advanced) - -
Special Friends (Intermediate) - -
Trees and Hills and Flowers A'bloom (Intermediate) - -


These arrangements and Compositions are available from the

OUR BEAUTIFUL BABY CD:

The Water is Wide (multiple harps, beginner)

These arrangements are available from the:
MANTLE of PEACE CD:

O Holy Night, arr. (advanced) - -
Ode to Joy ,arr. (multiple harps, Intermediate level) - -
Snow Flake Lullaby, original ( Beginner) - -

Miscellaneous Pieces:

Ludwig's Flourish, original (intermediate) - -
Simple Gifts, arr. (for harp and Violin, beginner level) - -
Vigsel , Norwegian Wedding Song arr.(easy) - -

All pieces are $3.00 a piece or 5 pieces for 10.00 plus postage and taxes printed on high quality cardstock. Please send check or money order to Reuben Correa 6022 Golden Valley Rd Golden Valley, MN 55422 - 4440
763-546-5290