This attractive programme
of 19th century music played
on the solo harp mixes pieces originally
written for the instrument (by Glinka,
Reinhold, Spohr, Posse and Alvars) with
arrangements, predominantly from keyboard
originals. Whilst the Liszt and Chopin
arrangements work well enough, the original
pieces are more striking, perhaps none
more so than Spohr’s Fantasie. He had
the advantage of being married to the
harpist, Dorette Scheidler, who gave
an acclaimed performance of this work
in Leipzig in 1807. Posse and Alvars
were harpists themselves, the latter
publishing almost a hundred compositions
and pioneering the double action pedal
harp. Lasting nearly 13 minutes, and
in three movements, Rosetti’s Sonata
is the most substantial offering on
the disc. In a style reminiscent of
early Haydn, it was originally written
for keyboard but works well on the harp.
Elizabeth Hainen is
currently principal harpist of the Philadelphia
Orchestra and an established international
virtuoso. She plays a 1990 Lyon and
Healy gold-gilded concert grand harp
and a 1995 "Salzedo" harp.
Her playing is delightful throughout,
making the most of the music and sustaining
interest with subtle dynamic shading.
She produces an exquisite sound which
is faithfully captured by the engineers
in an acoustic which seems ideal. This
is the best recorded harp sound I have
yet heard.
A highly successful
disc and an ideal introduction to the
solo harp. Further recordings from this
source would be very welcome - how about
some Dussek?
Patrick C Waller