Damase Sonata for Flute and Harp

[william-nichols]

Hello Harpists,

Just wondering if this is Damase Sonata for flute and harp No.1 or 2?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW-wPFFGChg

I need to know which one to order in.

Thanks!

Will

[carl-swanson]

Will- I didn’t know Damase wrote two Sonatas. Back when I played this Sonata(many MANY years ago) this was the only one anybody played. So I’m guessing that this is Sonata no. 1.

By the way, it’s not an easy sonata. The second half of the first movement you are going up and down the whole plane of strings like a lawnmower. I found I just had to memorize most of the first movement in order to play those arpeggios. Also, I spent weeks editing the whole Sonata, changing how notes are barred and layed out on the page, because as it’s printed, it is not written the way a harpist would play it. That’s baffling, since his mother was Micheline Kahn, and they lived together. I would have thought that she would help him notate it the way a harpist would play it.

[MusikFind1]

The music databases list two Sonatas for Flute and Harp.

DAMASE, Jean-Michel (b.1928 d.2013) –
Sonate no. 1 for Flute and Harp.
Pub: HENRY LEMOINE –
Pub: 01/06/1964.
List Price: $47.95 U.S. dollars
http://www.henry-lemoine.com/en/catalogue/fiche/24120
https://www.emsmusic.com/product_p/ems192964.htm

DAMASE, Jean-Michel (b.1928 d.2013) –
Sonate no. 2 for Flute and Harp.
Pub: HENRY LEMOINE –
Published : 13/11/1998
Prix : 22,60 €
http://www.henry-lemoine.com/en/catalogue/fiche/26912

Other works by Damase with Harp:
ORCHESTRAL WORKS
• Cadence du Concerto de Haendel(2002) Harp
• Cadences du Concerto pour flûte et harpe de Mozart (1997) Flute and harp
• Concertino pour harpe(1951) Harp and string orchestra for sale. Harp and piano for sale.
•
•CHAMBER MUSIC
• Adage(1996) Trumpet and harp
• Ballade(1994) Harp and piano version
• Duo concertant(2001) Flute, harp and piano
• Sonate(1984) Clarinet and harp
• Sonate(2002) Cello and harp
• Sonate n°1(1964) Flute and harp
• Sonate n°2(1998) Flute and harp
• Trio(1977) Flute, viola and harp
• Trio Op.1(1947) Flute, harp and cello
• Variations Early Morning(1982) Flute and harp

SOLO WORKS
• Aubade(1976) Harp
• Cadence du Concertino(1996) Harp
• Courtepièces(2002) Harp
• Etude de concert Op.14(1951) Harp
• Etudes (12)(1991) Harp
• Etudes (30) Vol.1(1978) Harp
• Etudes (30) Vol.2(1978) Harp
• Harpe junior(1985) Harp
• Introduction et toccata(1969) Harp
• Pluie(1975) Harp
• Préludes (12)(1996) Harp
• Rhapsodie de Noëls(2000) Harp or organ
• Ritournelles(1973) Piano or harp
• Sarabande Op.8(1948) Harp
• Sicilienne variée(1966) Harp
• Thème et variations(1995) Harp

[carl-swanson]

Then the one you were listening to on youtube is the first one.

[balfour-knight]

Well, I’m glad to know that Damase wrote two Sonatas for Flute and Harp, since I only knew about the first one. Thanks for clearing this up!
Best to all of you,
Balfour

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

I suspect that Damase played the harp himself, as the patterns and notation definitely consistently fit one way of playing. And in a recent photo, a well-maintained looking harp was right behind him. His mother may have passed well before he wrote that piece, and everything else he has done for harp. Or else he learned how she played, what was comfortable and went from there, or as likely, how Lily Laskine played. I tried editing the Sonata, and found I could not alter much except using enharmonics and changing a few patterns, without disturbing the music. It is as it is, very strongly in character.
What I want to know is, was his mother Jewish? How did they, or he, survive the war?

[carl-swanson]

His mother, Micheline Kahn, died in 1987. He lived with his mother her whole life. He definitely did not play the harp himself, but of course his mother was right there and may have helped him to keep his harp music playable.

[balfour-knight]

Will,

Did you order it, and if so, how is it coming along? It is difficult, but keep working hard–you will get it!

Thanks to all of you for responding.

Best,
Balfour

[Author]

Posts