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Hi William
Unfortunately all of the Broadway productions of Les Mis used keyboards, not harp. The synthesizer played the “harp” parts on the cast albums. You can look up all the information on Broadway shows (including orchestra members) on the International Broadway database http://www.ibdb.com. There you will see exactly what instruments were used in the orchestra pit. Occasionally a real harpist is hired to record a cast album (Hamilton, Anastasia) but the synthesizer is used in the actual show. But for Les Mis, it was synthesizer on the cast recirding also.The company is Anderson. the link is at the top of my original post.
http://andersonmusicstand.com/html2/options.html
If anyone is looking for a beautiful wooden music stand that folds up for travel, check these out. They are gorgeous, and very stable, yet beautiful and can match the elegance of the instrument. While they are expensive, they are infinitely more attractive than most folding stands and are more appropriate for a wedding or chamber music concert. Like the harp itself, this stand is an investment but in my opinion, well worth it.
The part is a rental, you need the theater company to get it for you. It is a lot to learn, so get the book as far in advance as you can. As far as money is concerned, it depends on where you live, but I ask at LEAST $150 per service, plus cartage.
Beatrice Schroeder Rose wrote a great book called “The Harp In the Orchestra” and she has an even easier fix for this section. Check it out, it gives each harp one continuous line. Harp I plays the upper octave and harp II the lower octave. No missing notes, just redistribution and use of a couple of enharmonics. The lines mimic the corresponding lines in the woodwinds. It makes this passage a piece of cake!
I have to recommend the book for anyone who plays orchestral harp. She offers solutions to many other tricky works, including Salome’s Dance. It is also helpful to composers who want to learn more about writing for the harp.
Hi Peter
Do you have any experience with the new Vanderbilt Classic strings that have come out recently? I tried the Premiere but hated them, they were too thin. I heard that the gauge was different from Bow Brand. Vanderbilt website says their strings are the same gauge as BB and I have tried some in my first and second octaves. So far so good! But they are a bit more expensive than Burgundy by Bow Brand so I am curious if anyone has been using them for a while.
I have had the same issue with my burgundy strings as so many people, lots of false strings and breakage still, even after they have supposedly solved the quality issues.Here’s a copy and paste of the text from the webpage:
PROFESSIONAL PEDAL
STYLE 17 NATURAL
Created in 1918, the Style 17 is a traditionally-designed harp which features the elements and style reminiscent of the French Renaissance. As a concertino, it is slightly smaller than a concert grand harp, which is ideal for a more petite harpist.$ 29,950 REQUEST INFORMATION
FINISHESArrow See the Prices page for General Terms & Conditions.
It is $29,950.
Here is the webpage: https://www.lyonhealy.com/harps/style-17-natural/
to the left of the “click for more information button” is a price. In addition, under the “finishes” example there is now an arrow that points to “See prices page for general terms and conditions”
I suspect they hadn’t finished the website yet and having been adding these things since you first saw it. I don’t remember seeing the “”prices page” reference the other day.
It is a new website, looks great! The prices are on the page for each harp. Click on the picture and the price is listed along with the description. There doesn’t seem to be a separate page with prices anymore. They have indeed included the 17 as a 47 strng “concertino” instrument. What a nice surprise to see it back in the line up!
Thank you! I will definitely contact them. I agree that it is best to respect copyright restrictions and my first action was to try and purchase a new copy. But all my sources say it is unavailable, so in this situation, I am hoping someone will share. I am continuing to try and reach the publisher, but am getting no response. in the meantime, I will try to reach Kay.
Thanks for your help!
There was an great article in the World Harp Congress Review a few issues back that was all about the Russian school.
Mr. Grandjany also said that you should try to play the harmonics as softly as possible. They will actually sound louder and fuller than if you try to play them loudly. It does work, probably because when you try to play them loudly, you get tense. You are more relaxed when you try for the softest volume.
