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Thanks for all the responses. I have made contacts in the World Harp Congress, and I will get in touch with Lyon and Healy now that I have an itinerary for the trip. Nine cities..no small feat. However, I am going to prepare lever harp versions of my parts, possibly play some flute as our flutist will not be there, and also play a keyboard/piano where I can’t get a harp. However it works out it will make for an interesting trip! Thanks for the helpful responses!
Vince
Sylvia, I played this piece last year with the Baylor Wind Ensemble and Joe Alessi, principal trombone of NY Philharmonic. The part is tricky, and I actually spoke to John Mackey about sending him an edited version to review and hopefully to update the existing part as well. I altered much of the last third of the piece, as some of it is literally impossible as written. As for the entrances in the first ‘movement’, it just requires careful counting. The second and third sections actually feature the harp quite prominently. Joe Alessi actually told me to play softer at one point…I took that as a great compliment!
Hi Jerusha,
I do enjoy these threads. Great to see people so excited about learning new pieces, especially for Christmas, it seems! I’m currently working on Renie’s Contemplation, which is just beautiful, pretty music (and technically challenging in the latter half), Grandjany’s Fantasie on a Theme of Haydn (I was inspired to choose this piece after watching this video of Xavier deMaistre: http://youtu.be/NxotQJjcJAc). I’m about to start Salzedo’s Quietude from the Five Preludes (aka Pink Preludes). All three pieces will be on my jury in December, but I’m also playing all three for a cousin’s wedding in November back home, so I have a good motivation for learning quickly and playing at a high level, as this will be the first time a lot of my family members will hear me play the harp. I’m so excited. I’m also doing some Lariviere and playing 2nd harp on Symphonie Fantastique with three other harpists in orchestra! It’s challenging to put four harps in the orchestra but sooooo fun!
Vince
Bravo, Ben!
I haven’t watched the whole video yet, but Gareth is someone I really admire and you as well! I’m sure it was a great experience. By the way, is that your Salvi Minerva, in green? The harp looks and sounds fantastic.
Also, maybe it’s just me, being American, but I could hardly understand Gareth when he spoke…made me laugh a little.
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for your response – oddly enough it has been a year and a day since I posted that! You are right – in some parts the harp is very audible, especially in the second movement with the odd rhythms and single notes. Other parts were with loud low brass, those were what I was referring to. I ended up doing the best I could with the pedals, although as I worked them out they were still not arranged in the best way. I definitely would put more work into it if I had to play this piece or another like it again. I feel strongly about realizing the composer’s intentions, even if that does mean a ton of work for us harpists. Thanks again for the response though!Renate, I’m also working on the Handel Passacaille! It’s a nice piece, a little more difficult than I thought it would be, at least for me. I also have Au Matin by Tournier, Mvt. I of Nadermann Sonata No. 2 (in c minor, I think it’s No. 2), Bochsa Celebres Etudes as well as Conditioning Exercises, Daily Dozen, Prelude for a Drama and Mirage (or should I say, “(Mirage)”) by Salzedo. Also have Persichetti Serenade for flute and harp, ‘O Isis und Osiris’ from Mozart’s Magic Flute (I’m playing it with a tuba) and I’m investigating Nagoya Marimbas by Steve Reich to see if it works for two harps. Could be really interesting. Oh yes, and a slew of orchestra/wind ensemble parts. As you can see I should be in the practice room right now!
Vince
Sam, I love your pedal diagram! I never would have thought of that. That’s definitely a great tool for communicating with other harpists, especially when you’re going to perform with someone who lives far away. Thanks!
Vince
Hi Kay! I have had my Salzedo for a year and a month, and I still can’t believe it’s mine! Sometimes I just stare at it because it’s so beautiful 🙂 I’m so lucky to have this harp, and I’m trying to get as much use out of it as I can. It’s such a great feeling to be the owner of a harp!
Vince
Tony,
I love the Salzedo on the Air set! It’s fascinating to hear him play his own music. Although I have to admit, when I first heard his voice I was a bit surprised that it was so high, it made me laugh a little!When I had a few lessons with Jeanne Chalifoux, she told me a few brief stories about Salzedo, and it was really fascinating. It seems like anyone who knew him enjoys telling stories about him.
Tony,
I love the Salzedo on the Air set! It’s fascinating to hear him play his own music. Although I have to admit, when I first heard his voice I was a bit surprised that it was so high, it made me laugh a little!When I had a few lessons with Jeanne Chalifoux, she told me a few brief stories about Salzedo, and it was really fascinating. It seems like anyone who knew him enjoys telling stories about him.
Tony,
I love the Salzedo on the Air set! It’s fascinating to hear him play his own music. Although I have to admit, when I first heard his voice I was a bit surprised that it was so high, it made me laugh a little!When I had a few lessons with Jeanne Chalifoux, she told me a few brief stories about Salzedo, and it was really fascinating. It seems like anyone who knew him enjoys telling stories about him.
I definitely read 2 million miles before I counted the zeros…I was thinking, ‘only a Honda could do that…’ But maybe a Dodge Caravan would work? I think I know a few harpists that own one. Wish I could be more helpful, and better at math.
Laura,
Ragtime is one of my favorite musicals, it’s amazing. I know there are books published for piano and voice, which I’ve seen, and they don’t seem to be to difficult to adapt for harp. I believe Hal-Leonard publishes them. Which song/songs are they requesting, if I might ask?John – that is just infuriating that all the money goes to any one activity. I am so disappointed to hear about Cass Tech. I remember learning about it at the 2008 AHS conference, and I thought the program was such a wonderful thing. In fact, I thought it was exactly the kind of program I would like to work in. I hope this doesn’t become a trend in other places.
