Post by erik on Jan 21, 2023 23:05:43 GMT -5
The harp takes the Classical Works Spotlight this week in a modern concerto for that instrument by the contemporary Welsh composer and harpist Catrin Finch.
Catrin Finch: CELTIC CONCERTO
The harp was often a solo instrumental part in a number of concertos during both the Baroque era (including works by Handel) and in the Classical era, notably in Mozart’s well-regard Concerto For Flute And Harp. For much of the 19th century, however, it remained only part of the orchestra as the sizes of orchestras and works, particularly those of Bruckner and Mahler, became larger. It was different in the British Isles in the 20th century, however, particularly in the English pastoral and Irish folk traditions, where the harp played a decidedly centralized role in music. One of the most prominent harpists of our time is Catrin Finch, a Welsh-born harpist and composer who helped to give new life to the celestial radiance of the harp and its prominence as a solo instrument. During the year 2000, she was appointed as the official harpist to HRH Prince Charles; and in the ensuing years, she also accelerated her advocacy for the harp in both roles as soloist and composer. One of the most important works she wrote was the Celtic Concerto, which owes everything to bringing the harp’s role in Irish Celtic music into the 21st century. Consisting of the standard three movements of a concerto (Jig A Jig; Hiraeth; Solstice), the work is scored for her instrument and an orchestra consisting completely of stringed instruments, creating a basis for the celestial sounds required for it. Much of the success for the work, which was premiered in 2012, owes to her close collaboration with the contemporary British composer John Rutter, who also composed his Lyric Suite specifically for Ms. Finch; both works were recorded by Finch and Rutter with the Sinfonia Cymru.
Harp: CAITRIN FINCH
Sinfonia Cymru/JOHN RUTTER (Deutsche Grammophon)
Included (Blessing):
John Rutter: A GAELIC BLESSING/MEDITATION
John Rutter: THE LORD BLESS YOY AND KEEP YOU/MEDITATION
John Rutter: LULLABY FOR ANA GWEN
Traditional: BUGEILIO GWENITH GWYN
Traditional: BETH YW’R HAF I MI?
Traditional: MIGLDI MAGLIDI
John Rutter: LYRIC SUITE FOR HARP AND STRINGS
Catrin Finch: CELTIC CONCERTO
The harp was often a solo instrumental part in a number of concertos during both the Baroque era (including works by Handel) and in the Classical era, notably in Mozart’s well-regard Concerto For Flute And Harp. For much of the 19th century, however, it remained only part of the orchestra as the sizes of orchestras and works, particularly those of Bruckner and Mahler, became larger. It was different in the British Isles in the 20th century, however, particularly in the English pastoral and Irish folk traditions, where the harp played a decidedly centralized role in music. One of the most prominent harpists of our time is Catrin Finch, a Welsh-born harpist and composer who helped to give new life to the celestial radiance of the harp and its prominence as a solo instrument. During the year 2000, she was appointed as the official harpist to HRH Prince Charles; and in the ensuing years, she also accelerated her advocacy for the harp in both roles as soloist and composer. One of the most important works she wrote was the Celtic Concerto, which owes everything to bringing the harp’s role in Irish Celtic music into the 21st century. Consisting of the standard three movements of a concerto (Jig A Jig; Hiraeth; Solstice), the work is scored for her instrument and an orchestra consisting completely of stringed instruments, creating a basis for the celestial sounds required for it. Much of the success for the work, which was premiered in 2012, owes to her close collaboration with the contemporary British composer John Rutter, who also composed his Lyric Suite specifically for Ms. Finch; both works were recorded by Finch and Rutter with the Sinfonia Cymru.
Harp: CAITRIN FINCH
Sinfonia Cymru/JOHN RUTTER (Deutsche Grammophon)
Included (Blessing):
John Rutter: A GAELIC BLESSING/MEDITATION
John Rutter: THE LORD BLESS YOY AND KEEP YOU/MEDITATION
John Rutter: LULLABY FOR ANA GWEN
Traditional: BUGEILIO GWENITH GWYN
Traditional: BETH YW’R HAF I MI?
Traditional: MIGLDI MAGLIDI
John Rutter: LYRIC SUITE FOR HARP AND STRINGS