Moonlight Sonata and Air on the G string

[Sylvia Clark]

I’m wondering if most harpists play these two pieces.

[jennifer-buehler]

I play Moonlight Sonata regularly.

[Jessica A]

I play the Bach, but the Beethoven seems too awkward with all the accidentals.

[Lynne Abbey-Lee]

There is a transcription by Carlos Salzedo of the Adagio from the “Moonlight Sonata,” published by Lyra Music. Lots of pedal changes, but not too difficult. People always seem to like it when I include it at a gig.

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

As a pianist first, the last thing I want to do is play that Beethoven movement on the harp. To me it’s really a yucky thing….and so overdone. The Air for the G String is beautiful in it’s original creation. I wouldn’t want to hear it on the harp. Just me….

Briggsie

[laura-palmieri]

I agree June! I don’t know why people keep asking for Beethoven and even Chopin! It’s awkward to play and it just doesn’t sound right to me, but people like to hear those familiar songs like that.

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

Laura, my opinion is “Fine, then hire a pianist, or point me to the piano, but I ain’t doin’ that on the harp. No way.”

[Karen Johns]

I love Moonlight Sonata- just starting to look at it on the harp. It does have a lot of accidentals so this one will take me some time to learn. I’ve heard it played on lever harp by Pamela Bruner and it’s just beautiful. I hope someday will a lot of work I can do this piece justice.

Karen

[Misty Harrison]

Whether or not they should be played on the harp they’re both pretty standard gig rep.

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

Standard gig rep for some people you mean…..

[Misty Harrison]

For professionals is what I mean. Here is a small sample of harpists with websites listing at least one of those songs on their repertoire lists. Notice they are all over the country. This is standard repertoire.

Michelle Sell, CA

[kay-lister]

I had “Air” requested twice recently for weddings.

[HBrock25]

I have played both upon request.

[sherry-lenox]

How do harp arrangements of the Air address the sustained notes that are a primary element of the piece?

From the musical standpoint, I can see a sense of internal conflict with playing something that can’t actually be appropriately realized on the instrument- I’m thinking Flight of the Bumblebee on the tuba for instance.

That said, I suppose if I were playing tuba professionally and a bride requested that I play FOTBB on my tuba for her to process to, and I wanted to be hired by the bride, I’d do it.

I guess the “Beautyisintheeyeofthebeholder” (or ear of the listener) principle applies.

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