We’ve got the music you need for this year’s challenge!

Harp Column’s annual 30 Day Practice Challenge is back on January 1st! This year, we invite you to explore the evolution of music one era at a time with our Eras Edition of the challenge. From the intricate melodies of the Baroque period to the expressive depth of the Romantic era and the innovations of modern music, we challenge you to dive into music from the different eras.

Which era are you in? Scroll down for our handpicked music recommendations, available for instant download at Harp Column Music.

(Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.)

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BAROQUE ERA (1600-1750)

The Baroque era of music was marked by dramatic expression, ornamentation, and contrast in dynamics and texture. Popular composers of the era include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Henry Purcell. Their works often featured complex counterpoint, ornamented melodies, and intricate harmonies.

Did you know that the Baroque harp was a key instrument during this era? It had multiple rows of strings allowing performers to play more chromatic music, a necessity given the complexity of Baroque compositions.

CLASSICAL ERA (1730-1820)

The classical era of music emphasized clarity, balance, and form. Composers of this period sought to create elegant, structured works with an emphasis on melody and homophonic texture. Popular composers of the era include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven (earlier works), Franz Joseph Haydn, and Christoph Willibald Gluck. Symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, and concertos flourished during this time.

Did you know that the pedal harp as we know it today was developed during this era? We can thank Sébastien Érard for that! Thanks to the innovations, the harp gained popularity in salons and private gatherings as a solo and chamber instrument.

ROMANTIC ERA (1800-1910)

The romantic era of music saw an increase in intense emotional expression with greater use of dynamics, lyrical melodies, and chromatic harmonies. Popular composers of the era include Ludwig van Beethoven (later works), Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Richard Wagner, and Franz Liszt.

Did you know that the harp saw an increase in solo repertoire during this era? Composers like Elias Parish Alvars, Henriette Renié, and Alphonse Hasselmans wrote virtuosic pieces that showcased the harp’s expressive and technical capabilities.

MODERN CLASSICAL ERA (1890-1945) / MODERN ERA 2000-PRESENT

The modern eras of music are characterized by experimentation, the breaking of traditional musical boundaries, and the exploration of new tonalities, forms, and technologies. Popular composers of the eras include Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Claude Debussy (later works), Béla Bartók, and Aaron Copland. Later in the century, composers like John Cage, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich pioneered minimalism, experimental music, and electronic composition.

Did you know that the harp began to be more integrated into larger orchestral works during this era? Composers like Stravinsky (The Firebird, The Rite of Spring) and Bartók (Concerto for Orchestra) used it to add distinct textures to their works.