This season has ushered in many new harp CD releases. A few we’re particularly excited about:
“French Reflections,” Sivan Magen’s new disc for Linn Records, includes quintessential staples of the French harp repertoire such as Tournier’s Sonatine, Faure’s Impromptu and “Une chatelaine en sa tour,” and Caplet’s Divertissements “A la Francaise” and “A l’Espagnole.” Even if you’ve heard these works a gazillion times, you owe it to yourself to hear them again as performed by Magen, who we interviewed in 2007. Read more and purchase at Linn Records.
Ben Creighton Griffiths (who we interviewed in 2013) has just released “Pedals & Paws,” inspired by his mini schnauzer Charlie Parker. The disc represents a day-in-the-life of the precious pooch. We promise you’ll be mesmerized by the funk bass grooves he lays down in Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” and in his own composition “Morning Walk.” Buy the recording at Creighton’s Collection, or read more about it at creightonscollection.blogspot and on HarpBlog.
Mother-daughter team Gretchen Van Hoesen and Heidi Van Hoesen Gorton have released “Genetic Harps,” which includes a pleasant hodge-podge of familiar (Debussy’s Petite Suite, arranged by Gretchen) and not-so-familiar (Gary Schocker’s new Better Than One suite) music for harp duo. Genetic Harps is also the name of the duo, which has been together since 1993. Both players now hold major principal harp positions in Pittsburgh (Gretchen) and Toronto (Heidi). Read more and buy the album on CD Baby.
