A Most Beautiful, Peaceful Time (Eb)

from Martha Gallagher

Sheet Music

A Most Beautiful, Peaceful Time (Eb) main photo

Contemplative and haunting, this solo harp selection is ideal for intermediate beginners to advanced players. Perfect for therapeutic, liturgical, memorial and performance repertoires.

The story of this music is bittersweet. My dear friend Mary Mead passed away after living with Stage 4 breast cancer for many years. The cancer had spread to her brain; her body simply said "enough."

I was scheduled to be in the studio the day after Mary Mead died, to record another selection; I recorded this one instead. You can listen and/or purchase to my recording of this music on my band camp audio download page.

I took my small harp, Grace, to the hospital to play for her on a one afternoon. She was unconscious and very agitated. In the past I used to lay Grace on her chest and stomach and I would play backwards - she loved that - but now she was too frail. I set Grace in the bed next to her and let music flow; as soon as I started to play her breathing and heart rate slowed, she became calm.

Back at home that night I felt strangely unsettled, so I went to my harp, as I often do when I am feeling restless. A feeling of tranquillity washed over me and this music flowed through me; the entire time I was playing I felt surrounded by an amazing, loving energy. I had not yet heard that she had passed away but knew it was Mary Mead - and not just her, but I felt lovingly surrounded by many spirits of those who had passed.

I still can't find the words to express fully the miraculous feeling and nature of this extraordinary experience.

It was truly a most beautiful, peaceful time.

NOTE: I will personally email you the pdf once I have received your order confirmation.