Islands in the North Atlantic, like Tory Island - the Irish island of legend and myth, the Hebridies in the Northwest of Scotland or the wild archipelago of the Faroe Islands situated between the Shetlands and Iceland - these are the places where harpist and photographer Thomas Loefke spends a considerable amount of time every year to compose music. Dramatic coastal landscapes, the wide open space of the Atlantic ocean and the ever changing sky reflect in the pieces of music created there.

The tunes are accompanied by photographs Thomas took during his travels to the islands and by a bunch of amazing stories, a combination which makes this solo program a very entertaining show indeed.

From the sounds of the Celtic Middle Ages, and the lively dances of Irish folk music, to the many original compositions each tune has its own texture, atmosphere and story to tell.

"People are listening to quiet haunting music again," says Thomas. "It's amazing how the sound of the harp takes the speed out of everyday life and brings you back to a sort of tingling slowness."i

photo-galleries:   Northern Isles I     Northern Isles II     Northern Isles III    Southern Isles
Youtube:

Alvastakkur  Inion a´Bhaoigheallaigh  The Island in Winter  Loch Ossian  Wishing Stone  Djupini Tór Mór

Soundfile

Thomas learnt his trade in Dublin from Ireland's leading harp players - Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Helen Davies and Áine Ní Dhúill. Since 1984 he has toured across Europe, Canada, the USA and New Zealand and has won several international prizes, including first prize at the O'Carolan Harp Festival.

Today much of Thomas' time is spent writing, collaborating and recording. He regularily tours with his band Norland Wind, with Riverdance-fiddle player Máire Breatnach, with the Colorado based cello/guitar duo Acoustic Eidolon, with Faroese fiddle player Angelika Nielsen as duo Norðan, pianist Lutz Gerlach, and as a soloist.

"People are listening to quiet haunting music again," says Thomas. "It's amazing how the sound of the harp takes the speed out of everyday life and brings you back to a sort of tingling slowness.“

Downloads:  Picture2   Picture4   Picture3   Poster

Current CDs:
Norðan (Tutl / Laika records) 
Máire Breatnach & Thomas Loefke - Rock Pools  (Laika records)

        
facebook: www.facebook.com/thomasloefke   
booking:  thomas@norlandwind.eu  tel: +49 171 271 0944