Acclaimed recording artist Yolanda Kondonassis has just released her new album, American Harp, which includes works by Elliott Carter, John Cage, Lowell Lieberman, John Williams, Norman Dello Joio, Hannah Lash, and Stephen Paulus. “I’ve wanted to make this recording for a long time,” says Kondonassis about the new release. “As a player and a listener, there is a really strong resonance for me with this music. It suits my sensibility. The pieces on this album share a certain honesty, directness, and reflective quality that I think is uniquely American. The pieces are harmonically fresh and the composers unafraid of moving beyond the rarefied French/European world of the harp to forge new frontiers.”
This marks the 17th CD release for Kondonassis, and her second for the Azica label. (See her complete discography here.) Regarded by many as today’s most recorded classical harpist, other recent releases include her Grammy-nominated disc Air of music by Takemitsu and Debussy, as well as a world-premiere recording of Bright Sheng’s Harp Concerto, written for her. Solo Harp: The Best of Yolanda Kondonassis, celebrating 20 years of her recordings, was also recently released by Azica.
“There are so many terrific pieces for the harp just sitting on shelves gathering dust. So I get a bit frustrated when people bemoan the lack of repertoire for the instrument,” says Kondonassis about the inspiration behind American Harp, which includes three world premiere recordings. “I hope this recording will give listeners a taste of what is out there for the harp and will help to give these works a life beyond their premieres.” American Harp is available on iTunes now, and in stores June 25. Look forHarp Column’s review of American Harp in our July/August 2013 issue.
American Harp tracklist:
The Lanes of Limerick, John Williams
Stalk, Hannah Lash (world premiere recording)
Music for Harp, Op. 116, Lowell Liebermann (world premiere recording)
Berceuse, Stephen Paulus (world premiere recording)
Bagatelles, Norman Dello Joio
I. Andante affetuoso e moderato
II. Allegro gioioso
III. Adagietto, calmo
In a Landscape, John Cage
Bariolage, Elliott Carter
For more about Yolanda Kondonassis, visitwww.yolandaharp.com.
