Testimonials

“As Riverdance popularised Irish dancing and Brendan Voyage brought the uilleann pipes to a wider public, so the Irish Harp Orchestra is animating a huge interest in the Irish harp - and it’s almost entirely due to Janet and her modern mix with tradition”

“Our national treasure”

“Janet, your music – it’s wonderful”

“There is, perhaps, no other event in the opening festival of the Belfast Waterfront Hall which reflects so accurately the wishes of the organisers that the prestigious new venue should provide something for everyone in our … community as much as the concert by the [Irish] Harp Orchestra, with guests Tommy Sands and the Fieldmarshal Montgomery Pipe Band. While uniting the audience in an evening of music, song and dance, the seemingly opposing elements of our musical traditions also unite with one another in a universal celebration of cultures”

“The CD Carillon is entirely professional, faultless, has perfect sound and acoustic presence and is highly delightful and charming. The music is wonderfully attractive, so intelligently arranged and laid out, and the performances are technically impeccable, neat and always most subtle, musical and expressive. It’s fun to listen and imagine its only one harp playing for tuning and ensemble are so good that one can do just that, and one realises that if it were only one solo harp, then what the heck of a good player he or she might be!! “This CD is now certainly one of the loveliest musical treasures we have. I expect it to automatically win many big prizes, to be very well received everywhere and to emboss [Janet Harbison’s] illustrious name firmly throughout the world”

"Janet Harbison is an indomitable lady. Having assembled a cast of more than 70 for the Belfast Harp Orchestra's showcase at the Waterfront….[she] more than achieved their stated aim of presenting the music, song and dance of Ulster in magnificent fashion."

"Janet Harbison: the human dynamo dedicated to spreading the gospel of the harp"

"‘By Strangford Water’ – Janet Harbison’s most recent recording and publication was a much awaited production featuring a definite collection of her original solo pieces for the harp. The haunting title track is widely performed and recorded now and is a wonderful addition to every repertoire and concert programme."