Yolanda Kondonassis has released her fourth book, A Composer’s Guide to Writing Well for the Modern Harp. Published by Carl Fisher Music, it is billed as “a comprehensive guide and conversational text on composing idiomatically for the harp.” With 22 chapters, the book covers chromaticism and the harp’s pedals, a guide on register, volume, and resonance, an index of harp effects and notations, and advice on writing for the harp in various contexts. The 128 pages also include six original illustrations by musical cartoonist Jeffrey Curnow.
As one of the world’s premier harp soloists, Kondonassis has worked extensively with contemporary composers. She performed and recorded the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s concerto for harp, Never Far Away, with San Diego Symphony, and recently worked extensively with Jennifer Higdon on her concerto, which was recorded by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and released in May 2019.
Subscribe today to read our recent feature article with Kondonassis, “On the Record,” from the September/October issue of Harp Column.
