Will orchestras accept any form of the Rainbow series from Salvia?

[Max Wilson]

I’m wanting to purchase my first pedal harp but I’m conflicted on if I should get an electrocoustic harp. If I get the rainbow CG from Salvi will orchestras accept it? I’m thinking they won’t because of the unnatural color.
Also will orchestras accept 42 string pedal harps?

[Max Wilson]

Omg it auto corrected to to Salvia I meant Salvi

[catherine-rogers]

I can’t speak to the color issue, but I believe the Metropolitan Opera orchestra has two red Salzedos, so color is evidently becoming more acceptable in professional settings. Most harps are behind the string section anyway. A rainbow harp would be rather pretty amongst all that black attire. Don’t expect to be able to use the amplification, though, in that setting, unless it’s an outdoor concert or maybe pops.

Re: using a smaller harp, I have very successfully used a 44 string semi-grand in orchestra (with an extended soundboard, so no problem with the sound carrying). It really comes down to volume and whether you have enough strings to play the repertoire. If you are considering a 40 string harp, those usually have a straight board. I don’t know if it would be loud enough or that you would have all the notes needed for orchestra. Of course that depends on the orchestra. If you mean a church group, you can usually rewrite and do what is necessary to make your part work. A group playing standard orchestral literature, maybe not so much. Others may have better info for you.

[Alison]

Where is my previous reply in this thread ? It was visible before I logged in (though without today’s edit) and has now disappeared again, there’s the clue.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Alison.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Alison.

[Philippa mcauliffe]

When an amateur orchestra does not own a harp and a player takes in their own I think they would be very unlikely to turn it away. That harp is a tasteful green in some lights and very purple in others. You really need an extended sound board in orchestra even if you fudge it to avoid bottom notes – what 42 were you thinking of, what do you want to play and who do you want to play for?

[wil-weten]

@ Alison, unfortunately, it happens a lot that one’s message disappears after it has been edited. A long time ago, I mentioned this several times to the contact person of the site, but that didn’t help to solve the problem.

[balfour-knight]

Hello Wil! If I can be of assistance and help you post something, please let me know. Sorry these posts have been disappearing!

Harp Hugs and best wishes,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

[Author]

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