The Italian Harp Association has announced details regarding their ninth international harp competition, “Suoni d’Arpa.” To be held in the medieval town of Saluzzo, Italy, the 2019 contest will take place Aug. 30 – Sept. 4 at the Fondazione Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale and is open to harpists and chamber duos of all nationalities and ages. Prizes range from €300 to €1,000, and the first prize winner of the top solo category will also be awarded a CD recording with the label Tactus. Harpists interested in participating are required to submit their applications by July 15.
The four divisions outlined below will be judged by Gabriella Bosio, Ieuan Jones, Lorenzo Montenz, Ivano Scavino, Johannes Willemze, Edith Pun, and Maximilian Ehrhardt, and chaired by jury president Emanuela Degli Esposti. Juror Johannes Willemze was the top prize winner at the eighth Suoni d’Arpa in 2018, which included 76 participants from 23 countries.
Category A: lever and pedal harp soloists up to 15 years
One free choice piece from Celtic Suite no. 3 by Daniele Garella
A freely chosen program, eight min. maximum
Category B: pedal harp soloists up to 20 years
One sonata by Domenico Scarlatti
A freely chosen program, 15 min. maximum
Category C: pedal harp soloists up to 30 years
Preliminary stage:
Pietro Mascagni/Michele Albano: Intermezzo from Cavelleria Rusticana
A freely chosen program, 10 min. maximum
Final stage:
A freely chosen program, 15 min. maximum (repertoire not performed in preliminary stage)
Category D: duo with harp, all instruments included (no age limit)
A freely chosen program including a piece written by an Italian composer, 15 min. maximum
For more information, visit http://www.associazioneitalianarpa.it/internationalharpcontest2019/.
