What’s on your music stand? (February 2013)

[tony-morosco]

After taking a fairly long break from learning any new pieces I am back in the grove.

Coincidently I am also working on Sylvia Woods’ arrangement of Stairway to Heaven. I already play two other versions. Dave Ice’s and my own. There are bits I like from David’s version, and bits I like from my own, and when I saw Sylvia’s version I realized she did some really nice things with the last section I really liked. So I am going to learn her version as well, and them I am going combine the parts from each I like best into an amalgamated version.

Other than that I am working on Deborah Friou’s arramgement of The Lament of Tristan.

And I am working on Paul Baker’s arrangement of Moon River.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Tony,
I’m glad to hear from you!
What you’re doing with “Stairway” sounds fascinating! Any chance you would put the completed song on YouTube?
I originally was going to stick to exactly what Sylvia wrote but, as usual, I am rearranging it! Her arrangement, though, helps provide a framework for me so that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
I think that I have an arrangement or two of Paul Baker’s. “Moon River” is such a wonderful piece. Are you arranging it for pedal or lever harp? Are you still playing pop/jazz on the lever harp, or have you switched to the pedal for those genres?

[jennifer-buehler]

I love Lament of Tristan. Gorgeous piece! I got several pieces of music from Sylvia Woods for Christmas and have been working on those. Ive been working on the music from Brave and Sylvia Woods arrangement of Fireflies.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Jennifer,
I’ll go over to YouTube to see if I can find a video of “Lament of Tristan”.

I think that this is it!

[jennifer-buehler]

Jerusha

Have you ever spent time on his website? Simon Chadwick puts such amazing scholarship into his study of the wire strung harp

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Jennifer,
I’ve never heard of this gentleman until today when I went to find a video of the song that you and Tony love. I will check out his website!

[Sherj DeSantis]

Hi Jerusha! My teacher has me trying to get A Spanish Interlude by Harry J. Chalmers, ready for the spring recital. (Maybe the Christmas recital is more realistic, but I will see what happens. I did A Song of the Wind for this past Christmas also by Chalmers, and I survived!) Also, for Maundy Thursday at church, one of Rhett Barnwell’s newer titles, My Song in the Night. That one will be ready. Add to that, all the usual for St. Patrick’s Day performances, just the standard pieces, nothing hard there.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Sherj,
I’m not familiar with “A Song of the Wind” but I love the title. Could you describe more about the song? Is it a single piece or part of one of Rhett’s collections?
Our harp ensemble will be playing Celtic tunes next week in honor of St. Patty’s–nothing difficult but a lot of fun.
I’m happy to hear about your progress!

[Sherj DeSantis]

Jerusha, A Song of the Wind was the first piece by Harry J. Chalmers I did at the Christmas recital. I tried to post a link here but it didn’t work. Anyway, go to you-tube, type in…. a song of the wind fantasie harp…., and that would be me playing. Remember, I am not professional, and do not pretend to be. I know about all the mistakes in it. The newest piece, A Spanish Interlude, is also a Chalmers piece.

[Jerusha Amado]

Sherj,
I meant to type “My Song in the Night” by Rhett Barnwell. Could you describe it and tell me if it’s a single piece or part of a collection?

[kreig-kitts]

My Song In the Night is a hymn. You can find several versions of it being sung and played on YouTube. It’s quite nice.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Kreig,
I’ll go over to YouTube and see what I can find. Thanks!

[tony-morosco]

Hey Jerusha,
If I can get it down to my satisfaction I will post it on youtube.

Yes, the Moon River arranged by Baker is strictly a pedal harp arrangement.

I do still play pop and jazz on lever harp. Depending on the arrangement some things are simply easier to play on lever harp, although when all other things are equal I tend to go with the pedal harp.

[Sherj DeSantis]

Jerusha, Rhett’s version is a solo piece to the best of my knowledge. Kreig is correct, it is the Appalachian folk hymn. This song was around when I was a child (I’m North Carolinian) but almost no one around me here in the “north” recognizes it. I have a good friend who has been a church organist and pianist for 40 + years, and she had never heard it. Concordia Choir does a lovely version, but my personal favorite is the Mormon Tabernacle choir version. The song moves at a gentle, low pitched pace, very serious in nature, very reflective. Both are on You-Tube. Rhett’s version is not as long and quite a bit simpler, but you could extend it a bit by reworking sections. If you like hymns, give it a listen. I think sometimes harpists confuse it with the Salzedo, Song in the Night, a totally different piece.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Sherj,
I was just over at YouTube listening to the videos of “My Song in the Night”. I agree with you–it’s deep and reflective–a wonderful piece! I also noticed that folkharp.com carries Rhett’s version, and that he dedicated it to his good friend, Brook Boddie. I think that’s so neat!
Hi Tony,
Thanks for posting. I kind of figured you’re still a jazz lever harp man! Happy harping!

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