Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Concert Piece in G Major
For Harp and Orchestra, Op. 154
The harp is one of the oldest instruments in the world. But it was not until Berlioz and Debussy that composers truly began to take advantage of its unique instrumental and expressive qualities. Since then nearly all of the major composers have composed for it, but it has been the French school of composition that has refined the art of writing for the harp to its quintessence: delicate, pure and poetic. The four works featured on this recording offer telling evidence.
Gabriel Pierné demonstrated masterful facility in all respects (compositional, architectural, stylistic) with his Piece de concert, spotlighting the soloist in a particularly advantageous fashion. François Adrien Boïeldieu wrote his perennial Concerto for Harp in C major at the age of twenty. The dramatic third movement stands out in particular.
Camille Saint-Saëns' Concerto for Harp and Orchestra was conceived to display the brilliance of the soloist and his instrument. It is a veritable test of skills, a true «showpiece». Henriette Renié, of whom Lily Laskine said that «to think of the harp is to think of Henriette Renié», composed her Concerto for Harp and Orchestra in 1901. It was a an immediate success, displaying the great expressive power and technical versatility of the instrument. It is a true reflection of the composer's personality, of her love for the harp, her mastery of this ancient instrument and her desire for innovation.
Xavier de Maistre won his first international competition in Paris at the age of sixteen. More prizes followed at other major international competitions: Cardiff, Munich, Vienna, Jerusalem. And in 1998 he won the first prize and two additional prizes for interpretation at the prestigious USA International Harp Competition in Bloomington. Xavier de Maistre has since performed with eminent orchestras and conductors around the world. He was appointed solo harpist with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Lorin Maazel at the age of 22; three years later he was appointed to the coveted position as solo harpist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Album N°: CD 50-2206
EAN: 7619931220628
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Claves records
RECORDING
Tonstudio van Geest, Sandhausen/Heidelberg
RECORDING ENGINEER
Teije van Geest
COVER GRAPHICS
Christoph Dütschler
COVER ILLUSTRATION
William Turner, San Benedetto, view of Fusina, 1843
BOOKLET SUPERVISION, LAYOUT & DESIGN
Mark Manion, Berne
© 2002 Claves Records SA, Pully (Switzerland)
Recorded at Görreshaus, 27 November - 1 December 2001
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