Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Jerusha…..thanks so much. I’m okay. I just got back from Chicago where I attended the L&H 150th Anniversary Festival…..getting ready for a trip to NYC to visit friends, and when I get home finalizing all the practicing I’ve been doing with my duo partner to play on a “concert in the park” series in a town nearby. It should be fun!! I sold my practice ogan immediately after retiring fom my chuch gig last December and now I have an official harp studio in the house. I have some harp students, and I’m still teaching voice and piano. Life is okay…..particularly since I had some terrible health scares in February and just last week found out everything is okay. Hope all is well with you…..
Briggsie
I was there with Kerstin Allvin. We were heading up to a concert going to get on the elevator when you got off and you and Kerstin began talking. I could tell you had a lot to talk about,, and I wanted to get up to the concert. The elevator was leaving so I jumped on……so I didn’t get to say hi. But oh my……that conference was just amazing. There was so much talent and such great music. The concert last night was breathtaking…..and the cake….wahoo!!!! (It was a cake about 3 feet high of a Lyon and Healy 23 gold harp surrounded by scores of famous harp works made of fondant……for those who weren’t there.)
This morning we had breakfast with Naoko Yoshino, and what a charming lady she is. She was here in the Detroit area last year when Kerstin had her come and do masterclasses with us and at the University of Michigan and play a wonderful concert with the Detroit Chamber Music Society. So, it was good to be able to talk with her again. She is an AMAZING harpist and a very gracious, sweet lady.
I have to ask this. Why is the Schubert, “the right one?” I was raised as a Catholic, and there are several nice Ave Maria’s to choose from, so I’m just confused by that statement.
Hi Diane, I met you at AHS 2008 in Michigan. I have to chime back in. Although Subaru has a wonderful reputation, I really feel I was duped by them. The Outbacks from ’98 thruogh ’02 had a bad master cylinder and they never did a recall. Instead they had us all go in to the dealerships for an “additive” that was supposed to help. In the end the block cracked on mine when it was barely broken in, and I was out an enormous amount of money. I will never drive one again. I also have to say that I am not a fan of AWD when there is ice. I will take my plain old Dodge Grand Caravan anyday over the Outback where snow and ice are concerned. It’s a heavy car, and it really really sticks to the road under all conditions. I remember one particular incident driving to work on an ice-covered road in the Subie, and I couldn’t really go over 15 mph without heading toward a ditch. Just had to say it……plus I can lean my harp back and just slide it straight in with about a foot or so to spare at the base in my van. Carl Swanson recommended it, and he was absolutely correct that it is a wonderful harpmobile.
I moved my Camac Athena concert grand in my 2002 Subaru Outback, but it was a lot of finagling to get it in compared to what I am driving now (Dodge Grand Caravan). I had to shove it in the back, then open each side door and tip it up so that the crown was sort of resting on the driver’s seat back. It also had to be shifted around a lot to get the back door closed. If you are going to move your harp a lot I suggest you consider a car where you can just lean the harp and shove it straight in flat. The cars I know of that allow this are Dodge Grand Caravans, and a 2008 Taurus X. There are probably more, but those are the ones I know of.
I agree with the Webster harp recommendations. I bought mine at the AHS Conference in 2008. It’s been a great little harp.
Carl, that was a really good thing you did. It’s heart-warming to read that the woman got her harp back because a colleague cared enough to help out.
Carl, you steered me right on a harp-hauling car. Now I would be interested in your suggestion for an agency that specializes in harp insurance. I currently have Anderson, but I’m wondering about other options. Do you have some suggestions?
Thanks….Briggsie
I love my Camac Athena concert grand. I have played lots of different harps….many of them nice…..but I’m always happy to be back on my Camac. There is only one harp that I like better, and that’s a Camac Atlantide owned by my teacher/friend. My Camac, however, is really a lovely harp which is even from top to bottom and has a beautiful, warm sound with beautiful bright upper work. If I sound like an organist when I say that, it’s because I am, and I can’t think of a way to describe the sparkle at the top other than that, but it’s there, and it’s very pretty. I love my Athena.
I have always loaded my Camac Athena by myself…..first into a Subaru Outback which wasn’t so easy, then into an Element which was a little easier, but still took some maneuvering, and now into a Dodge Grand Caravan which is truly a piece of cake. I have a ramp for when/if I need to take it down the front walk, but lately I have been taking it on my standard harp cart down 2 small steps into the garage and straight into the vehicle. I lay a shiny/slippery chair mat into the back of the van and the harp slides right in. It’s so easy.
I’m trying to remember where I got my kneebone….I think maybe here. This one looks just like mine, and I remember I had a choice of finish: http://www.harpkit.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Bones&Category_Code=all
but look at this one. I think this one looks really nice because it has those contours for your legs, and they give you all the specs you need for measurement:https://www.harpcenter.com/product/triplett-lap-bar/harp-accessories-1
Briggsie
I have played some of the Timothy harps, but not the Innisfree, but his harps were among some of the best lever harps I have ever played or heard. They are truly wonderful. I have an Eve, and I like it just fine.
I’m insane. Last summer when I was asked to do these voice things, I thought, “Oh how cool!” Now I can’t wait for summer so I can finally relax and not have to think about all this STUFF. I’m not sure about harpsichords. When I finished my undergrad work in organ, I was all set to get a teaching job — I did — and buy a harpsichord — I didn’t. I ended up getting so involved in the teaching thing that I didn’t give the harpsichord a second thought. I just love playing continuo in baroque orchestral works, but I have no room for a harpsichord. So the idea is really out, and I really spent money on my harps, so the budget won’t allow it either. I get the feeling though, that buying a harpsichord is a lot like buying a harp. You have to play a bunch of different ones to find one that sounds right to you. I’d just be happy with a one-manual (8′ strings) to do continuo work with…..but it isn’t going to happen anyway. 🙂
