Kathy…. thanks for speaking up. The worst so-called harp music I’ve ever heard, and offensive to my musicality has been “world premiers” at WHC conventions.

My question… I read that Suzanne McDonald is the “artistic director”. She is a world class harpist and harp teacher. Why is it that every time I hear this offensive harp music, Suzanne McDonald is the artistic director? Is this from the dark side?

It sounds like this piece was very offensive.

Hi Kimberly and Ann,

Your arguments are thoughtful and well reasoned, and I do agree with much of what you say.

My 5 cents in general:

There is a very thin border between an avangard music and (pardon) chromatical masturbation about “those sick sad world”. The last one has nothing to music. And a harp, meaning it is healing and peacefull instrument because of it’s acoustic species, is not a brain-crushing instrument. Archetypes? Probably – but you can never imagine bloody drugged ugly punk riping the harp strings. Only in nightmare – but you need to have a sick sad ™ inner world for this. Some archetypes must stay untouched. There are too much shit in a world and there’s NO reason to express it with the only one instrument, which is the incarnated

Christian, that is DEAD ON…and I swear I’ve heard that piece at a harp conference!!!!

This has been a facinating thread to read, and I’m glad to see some really thoughtful and well-worded points.

Two quick thoughts:

You may want to skip this response. It’s from a non-musician (a harp husband, or harp widower, to be precise).

You have reminded me of a piece comissioned for the AHS convention in Lubbock, Texas, in the 1970’s, which was partially supported by the Institute for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies. That harp work was, appropriately, somewhat more than semi-arid. I haven’t heard of it, much less heard it, since.

I am also reminded of the Salzedo prelude, musically excellent in my non-professional opinion, called “Lamentation,” composed in the teens of last century. It achieves effects which hard rock bands match only with the help of high-wattage amplification.

I am one somewhat narrow in taste, but broad in tolerance. To illustrate by analogy, I am a strong supporter of free expression (for adults), including the right to burn the flag, or use it in critical art. Yet I get really worked up when “patriotic citizens” display the flag in violation of simple flag etiquette, as when it might be allowed to become ragged or torn, or dislplayed after sunset without adequate lighting (equivalent of sunlight). So I suppose I’m supporting those of you who spoke of composer’s intent, as well as those who supported the right to walk out.

Thanks for letting a non-harpist indulge in a bit of nostalgic prattling.

J Bernard