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Dave, thanks for the information. What a treasure it would be to find that lost recording. I’m trying to find a copy of Balanchine’s version of “L’Enfant et les Sortileges” that aired on PBS in 1981. I even contacted the now grown-up child actor from it– he has no idea if it will ever be released on DVD.
The harp in my photo is an old plastic Christmas ornament. Playmobil makes a concert looking harp, but it only comes with the Magical Forest play set– I have to draw the line somewhere…
Another place to see a ton of old harps tucked in bizarre places is “The House on the Rock” in Spring Green, Wisconsin. They have rigged some up to look like they’ve been turned into automatons.
Darth Vader’s Theme for the entrance of the groom and best man. Then for another wedding, they wanted that woven into “Ode to Joy” for the recessional.
It looks like a Salvi Apollo in ebony. I have one in mahogany: I have to say that everyday I play it I love more. It has a huge full sound– when I rip a widely spread rolled chord it is like raw power! I guess some harpists can’t handle the massive sound as it seemed to lead this one to the dark side of the Force…
This is a great piece. I’ve been playing it for years. It makes a beautiful contrast to traditional classical wedding music for the unity candle. You can play through it a complete time with no awkward staring between the bride and groom waiting for you to finish.
Liam, When I began playing I had the same mindset as you. But my own slow improvement began to frustrate me as I wanted to learn more complicated and classical pieces. Then I had one of the greatest music philosophy changes in my life actually at an art workshop. The instructor, whose name was Jack Dempsey, told us “Discipline is freedom.” He meant that once you spend time mastering a technique (although it is tedious and boring at the beginning) when you have it internalized you open an entire new world of possibilities for yourself. It really “sets you free.” I sought out methods about scales, arpeggios, and etudes and made myself learn them with a metronome. It is true – discipline (technique) has set me free. Not only in classical but when I am playing receptions or more free-form events my music sparkles more than ever by throwing in a beautifully balanced run or cascading descending seventh, and it’s like my second and third fingers have minds of their own creating counter melodies. So don’t think of your routine practices as enslavement: think of them as freedom!
Harpo Marx has been and is to this day a profound inspiration to me. I began paying harp when I was fifteen and basically had no choice but to teach myself. Like all of us, I watched the occasional clip of him playing; but being an actor myself, was amazed at his abilities in mime. I found his book, “Harpo Speaks”, and when I read how he was also self-taught I became even more inspired to be the best musician I could be. Two years ago I brought a dream of mine to life. I created a children’s program inspired by Harpo to introduce the harp using music, math, science, and history. I premiered it in South Carolina to great reviews from all ages. I plan on taking it on the road when I retire from teaching 2nd grade in a few years. (If I’m still sane.) To me Harpo represents an amazing sense of happiness, innocence, and wonder: things that we need now more than ever.
Gillian, don’t give up until you have tried Alla Yashneva’s Russian Method available at http://www.russianharp.com/books.html . I don’t know exactly why it works, but I have been thrilled with the results I’ve gotten- more than when I studied Renie, Salzedo, or Friou. It’s designed so that you can learn it for yourself with tips on hand placement and fingering. After a drill, there is a corresponding etude or piece that focuses on that skill– it is so satisfying! Please give it a try!
Awesome! I found her album, “Romantic Music for Harp” on eBay. It’s incredible, but watching her actually play is a treasure! Thanks for posting this!
Try Delius’s “Lullaby for a Modern Baby,” from 5 Piano Pieces. You can see the score at http://www.music-scores.com/midi.php?sheetmusic=Delius_4_Lullaby
Brandon, If you want to learn to play harp, go for it. I was 15 when I started playing. I can’t remember being teased about it, and besides- I became so busy and wrapped up in practicing and performing that I became surrounded by people who really loved my music and thought that it was great to see a guy harpist.
