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Hi, this was sort-of discussed in an earlier post as well. The link for that is here: http://www.harpcolumn.com/forum/message-view?message%5fid=5205677
I have played both sides of the conductor – usually between the 1st and 2nd violins but each conductor has their own style so I do end up shifting about from time to time.
I find that over by the violins is best for hearing cues etc as the cellos, basses and brass can drown out a lot of those on you if sitting near them.
One thing you should definitely make sure about though is that you never get placed by the bass drum or timps in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms – I had to walk off the stage in one rehearsal due to the pain in my ears when I had been re-seated there. It was impossible to think let alone play!
Thankfully the conductor reconsidered my positioning and I was reinstated with the violins.
Hi, I have heard of them as well but never seen. Have you tried on Lyra Music: http://www.lyramusic.com/
or Glissando: http://www.glissando.de/index.php
They are two of the best sites for searches
Cheers.
I also discovered the joy that is the IMSLP earlier this year and have been trawling through it work by work in order to build up a library of harp parts. I found both the complete and suite versions of Tchaikovsky’s major ballets there. Another super resource indeed!
Fearghal
Hi again, I forgot to mention this book earlier – it would probably be best to work up through the Sounding Harps series first though (depending on playing ability) as only the melody is given and you have to compose your own bass. The book is ‘The Life, Times and Music of Turlough O Carolan’ by Donal O’Sullivan (published by Ossian Press). I mention this one due to your interest in Celtic and earlier music/harps. For me – as an Irish harper it is a wonderful resource to have and contains all of O’Carolan’s tunes – known and attributed.
All the best,
Fearghal
Found the vid. First hit up using ‘Wild Geese Harp’. The ‘thumb-under’ playing leads to odd ‘flick-outs’ of the hand as well (see about 11 or 12 sec in) where if the thumb is resting on
Yes, I’d definitely agree there. They are an excellent series and used by most teachers. I remember using those among others when I started playing – and again when teaching. Inisheer is a beautiful air and – in my opinion – easier than the Wild Geese to learn.
I have attached two links to ‘harp.com’ – a great website for finding harp music etc. If searching from the UK/Europe use the first link, if from the
Phew! Relief for you that you don’t have to relearn your playing style! I get the feeling that the harpist on youtube has been self taught without even seeing a harp being played or looking at a tutor method. I have yet to see one that supports the thumb-under style.
There is nothing wrong with self teaching but working with a tutor method sure does help!
Enjoy the music and Happy Harping!
Fearghal
Yoiks! First of all – well done! Secondly – hope that never happens again!
I’m so glad this site is here. I’ve been on it for a few years now but until coming to uni never really needed such a great resource to help me. Before uni I only played a couple of pieces with one orch a year – now I am playing with eight orchestras (a ninth has asked me to join this year) and have played over 35 works in my first 2 years of uni. For all that I’m not even studying music!
The ‘flute and harp’ has been something I’ve always wanted to play so I’m going to give this everything I’ve got. Again, I’m just glad that HarpColumn is here – it was the first place I turned to.
Happy harping!
Fearghal
Hi,
I play both Trad Irish/Scottish and Classical Harp and for both styles the thumb should be up. When ‘rotating’ the hand the thumb goes over the fingers and the fingers should always pass under the thumb.
When playing a note with the thumb,
When you say the original edtion – do you mean Breitkopf’s Urtext edition or is there another edition by a different publisher that is considered better? I have had the Breitkopf recommended a good few times now and should have my copy by tomorrow – along with a few different cadenzas to try out.
Thanks Clinton. I was guessing that you would have an answer for my query. I’ve looked on IMC with no luck so will e-mail the other co. after the weekend. I will also have a try with Salvi here in the UK in case they have heard of it.
Cheers
Definitely an old post now, but this cd ‘Concertos for Two Harps and Orchestra’ was out in 2003. It is on the Egan Records label and features Catherine Michel and Xavier de Maistre. The works are: W.A. Mozart ‘Concerto for Two Harps and Orchestra in E-flat Major’, F.J. Gossec ‘Concertante du Ballet de Mirza for Two Harps and Orchestra in D Major’, Elias Parish Alvars ‘Concertino for Two Harps and Orchestra’ and Maciej Malecki ‘Concertino in Ancient Style for Two Harps and String Orchestra’
Some excellent playing there. If you don’t have a copy I would definitely recommend it.
Fearghal
Thanks. I have been well warned about tempos with the work!!! I’m not intending on going faster than the fingers can deal with and then failing half-way through. I have about a year to prepare so I should be fine. I have already started on the 1st movement and will be working through each one systematically. I agree with the difficulty level. I have heard it a good many times now and always have a score with me to jot down anything I hear that appeals to me/areas where work will need done. Do you know of any recordings with the Badura-Skoda cadenzas? I have looked on his website but can’t see the Mozart there. Also, which recordings are considered to be the best to listen to as there are soooooo many out there now. I have experienced this prob. before when looking for Nutcracker and Swan Lake solos.
Thankfully the flautist & I know each other well and we have played together a good bit now. We are both in the same uni and in 5 of the same orchestras so meet up often! We should be able to sort out tempos without me having to cower behind the harp etc
In looking over the work so far I would indeed agree with your
