featured in this issue
—by Rhett Barnwell and Erin Wood Editor’s note: This article is presented in two sections, beginning with Lever Harp. The Pedal Harp section begins mid-way through. Scroll to the end of each section for comparison charts of lever and pedal harps. Whether it’s your first or fourteenth, buying a harp is exciting. It’s also daunting. You’re undoubtedly […]
The California-based chamber group reflect on their staying power after a quarter-century together. When it comes to musical collaborations, getting together is one thing; staying together is another; and staying together for 25 years—well, that puts you in a league of your own. The Debussy Trio—harpist Marcia Dickstein, flutist Angela Wiegand, and violist David Walther—hit […]
—by Kristi Shade She won the highly sought after Principal Harp position with the storied St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. But getting there was no walk in the park. It doesn’t come around often, but when it does, harpists travel from all over to audition for it. It’s the coveted Principal Harp position in a symphony […]
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departments
—by Meghan Caulkett One harpist’s quest to take the harp out of the concert hall. Two years ago, I founded 47 Strings, an innovative harp concert series. What makes this music program unique is that we present concerts around the Houston area for those who are not normally exposed to harp music. By taking the […]
The quest to find the perfect harp gets a little easier. The harp buying process is ripe for analogies. Choosing a new harp is like choosing a spouse—you want to make the right decision because you will have to live with it for a very, very long time. Finding the right harp is like finding […]
Reviews and more
Remy van Kesteren, harp; Harmonia Mundi, 2013. 5 harps (Note: recording reviews prior to 2014 were based on a 5-star system.) The guy’s got it all—the looks, the chops, and the groove. Even his Twitter profile proudly tells us that real men play harp. He’s the winner of the 2013 International Harp Competition, Dutch musician […]
Cristina Braga, harp and voice, and the Modern Samba Quartet; Enja, 2013 4.25 harps (Note: recording reviews prior to 2014 were based on a 5-star system.) Changing the vibe entirely, I next put on the mesmerizing new disc from Brazilian harpist Cristina Braga and the Modern Samba Quartet. You get the drift of this sultry […]
—by John Wickey There’s an oft-repeated quote from one of Beethoven’s letters decrying the lack of distinction between the music written for the harp and the piano. The master, clearly, was all for the advancement of the piano, but the quote has been used to validate the performance of piano works from the period on […]
Question: What do you do when someone asks if you have a student who can play a gig for a lower fee? Recently an investment firm called looking for a harpist and asked if I had a student who could play for them, allegedly because they like to “support youth.” Another recent call was from […]