Today’s Enlightening
Entertainment will be
presented in Dutch,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Indonesian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Thai
and Spanish.
The harp is one of
world´s oldest instruments.
Already in ancient Egypt
they played
the instruments, although
they were very small.
And the harp
has always been present
in every culture.
It is an instrument
that touches your soul
somehow, it has
a very special vibration.
In Ghent, Belgium,
Ms. Janu is a gifted
harp player and composer,
who is called
“Princess of the Harp.”
Her wide repertoire during
international concerts
and in her albums
ranges from folk music,
film scores and
light entertainment
to classical and
own compositions.
Janu ensures
that every number
has its own “color.”
She is the only harpist
in Belgium
performing on six
different types of harps.
I play classical harp.
That is what
I had my training in.
I play Celtic harp
or also called Irish harp
also called
South American harp,
electro-acoustic harp,
electric harp,
and besides all that,
also Irish electronic harp.
Since childhood,
Janu has been exposed
to various
musical instruments.
But the one
that charms her most
is the harp.
I was still very young
when I started with music.
At the age of 13, I came
in contact with the harp
and it was love at first sight
for this instrument.
I started taking courses
and I knew
actually right away
after a few lessons that
this was my true calling
and that I was going
to do this full time.
I keep occupied with
all kinds of musical styles,
with electronic harps,
many kinds of
different instruments,
special combinations.
And because of this
I have been lucky to
perform on major stages
with big names like
Will Tura, Praga Khan,
and many others.
Janu has performed solo
in Belgium’s
most prestigious
musical mega-theatre,
Forest National.
She has been
frequently invited
as a guest performer
in tours and concerts in
France, the Netherlands,
Luxembourg, Turkey,
the United Arab Emirates,
and other countries
worldwide.
Her music
is frequently heard
on radio and television
and her album remains
among the best selling
productions in Belgium.
An accomplished soloist,
Janu has created
a harmonious trio who
perform together on stage.
The trio that I work with
consists of
Peter Van Woensel,
percussionist
who also plays many
ethnical instruments
and Davy Lakony,
a very young singer
whom I work with.
Together we have built
our own unique show
where different music
styles are represented.
And we also make use
of many different sorts
of instruments with
very special combinations.
It is actually
something unique.
Hallo, I am Davy Lakony
and I take care of
the voice tone a little.
I sing with and without
a microphone, I play
on that guitar over there,
and on the keyboard.
That’s it.
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid
to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
oh like a rainbow
I am Peter Van Woensel.
I do the percussion at Janu,
but in fact, I do
all kinds of strange things
like making wind.
Did you made this
yourself?
Yes, this washboard
is inherited
from my grandmother,
who once did her laundry
on it.
She has washed
my diapers with it.
And now I have expanded it
with all kinds of horns,
literally, and bells,
also literally.
Each member of the Trio
adds their creativity
and emotion
to the performance.
Janu herself must select
from a range of harps
and playing styles
that will convey
the best sound and feeling.
The sound
of each instrument
is very different,
the playing style
is also totally different,
and also the genres
that you play on them.
On electronic harp,
for instance, you can
work with special effects
and I like to experiment
with that.
So you achieve
extraordinary sounds,
and so you can bring
a very broad spectrum
of music.
Next, Janu shows us
some of her
beautifully crafted harps.
We can listen to
her playing each harp
after she introduces it.
This is my pride.
This is a unique piece,
an electronic harp that
I had custom made, and
I picked the color myself.
It is really
a fantastic instrument.
And this is my
electro-acoustic Irish harp,
also a very special color.
It also creates
a unique sound,
this instrument.
And this is my
South American harp,
from Paraguay,
an instrument that
in South America only
is played by men.
Janu performs a buoyant
South American rhythm
on her South American harp
titled “Ballade.”
Accompanying her
on percussions
is Peter Van Woensel.
When we return, we’ll
continue our interview
with internationally
acclaimed Belgium harpist
and composer Janu.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Welcome back to
Enlightening Entertainment,
featuring Janu,
the internationally lauded
professional harpist and
composer from Belgium.
Where do you
get your inspiration?
It can be from something
quite simple.
It can be a specific word
that someone passes
on to you or
it can be a far journey,
or it can be nature or
it can be a certain feeling.
Actually,
mainly from daily life.
Do you write
the arrangements and
orchestration yourself?
Yes, the arrangements
for the harp I write
completely by myself.
For instance, I make
my own arrangements
of well-known numbers.
And the orchestration
happens then mostly by
the hand of Steve Willaert.
Then I see together
with my percussionist
which extra dimensions
we can give it.
I play
a very unusual repertory.
I play my own numbers
but also numbers
that have been written
for me specially.
In combination
with my producer
and my new CD,
I have worked around
the theme, art painters.
Janu Trio has
a new show, and CD,
called “Paint it Harp,”
a performance inspired
by famous painters
and paintings.
A light show
and projections of
the paintings themselves
add a visual element to
the musical experience.
These are numbers like
for instance,
“Mona Lisa,”
“Paint it Black,”
but there are also
my own compositions.
It was very difficult
to make a choice
because there are
so many good artists.
But the names that I chose
are actually also
the famous names,
like for instance
Leonardo da Vinci,
Vincent Van Gogh,
Toulouse Lautrec, Soulage
are some of them.
And how do you
translate that into music?
Letting the painting
inspire you.
For instance
I look at a painting
of Claude Monet.
It evokes a certain
atmosphere within me
and then I try to give it
form it into certain tones.
You will reflect just
the feeling that you have
with a certain painting
into the music
that you will bring.
…Starry starry night.
Starry starry night
paint your palette
blue and grey,
look out
on a summer's day
with eyes that know
the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills
sketch the trees
and the daffodils
catch the breeze
and the winter chills
in colors
on the snowy linen land.
And now I understand
what you tried to say to me
how you suffered
for your sanity
how you tried
to set them free.
They would not listen
they did not know how,
perhaps they'll listen now.
We have just watched
a rendition of the song
“Vincent”
by American composer
Donald McLean,
as performed by Janu
on the harp with vocals
by Davy Lakony.
The performance
refers to Dutch artist
Vincent van Gogh’s
famous painting,
“The Starry Night.”
Let’s now enjoy
another elegant piece
from the “Paint it Harp”
album, titled “Mona Lisa,”
with Janu on the harp
and Peter Van Woensel
on percussions.
“Mona Lisa” appreciates
the enigmatic beauty
of the famed 16th century
portrait painted in oil by
Italian Renaissance artist
Leonardo da Vinci.
As a true musician,
Janu envisions a world
in which many more hearts
may have the chance
to resonate with
the sound of the harp,
just as hers did.
I would like to put the harp
in a new light
and make it popular.
I have students
of nine years of age who
take courses with me.
They are always
very enthusiastic.
I remember also
a student this year, who
came for the first time
to the course
and she was really so…
She barely dared
to touch the instrument,
even if she really wanted
to learn to play it.
And with the first contact
of the strings, you could see
from the experience
of the child´s face
that she was
somewhat enchanted
by the beautiful tones
that came from
the instrument.
I also teach
at the art academy
in Geraardsbergen.
I also hear very often
that students say,
“O, that instrument
is very soothing.”
So yes, it produces
a very special sound.
I wish that everyone can
enjoy music the way I do.
That can be by playing it,
by experiencing it,
by going to a concert,
by listening to a CD.
I hope that music has a
certain effect on everyone
and that it evokes
a certain emotion.
As we close
today’s program, Janu
performs a piece titled
“Les Lacs du Connemara,”
based on the original song
by French singer
Michel Sardou.
She is accompanied
by Peter Van Woensel
on percussions.
To Janu, and your
talented colleagues
Peter and David,
our heartfelt appreciation
for bringing solace,
joy, and harmony
to our world through
your gifts in music.
May the soulful sounds
of the harp re-awaken
our inner glory
and highest love.
For more information
about Janu, please visit
It was a pleasure
having you with us on
Enlightening Entertainment.
Now, stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television
for Words of Wisdom,
next after
Noteworthy News.
Blessed be your noble heart.