Notes and Editorial Reviews
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 offered on this disc feature telling evidence. Gabriel Pierne demonstrated masterful facility in all respects (compositional, architectural, stylistic) with his Piece de concert, highlighting the soloist in a particularly advantageous fashion. Boieldieu wrote his perennial Concerto at the age of twenty. The dramatic third
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movement stands out in particular. Saint-Saens' Concert Piece 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 Renie, of whom Lily Laskine said that "to think of the harp is to think of Henriette Renie," composed her Concerto in 1901. It was 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 and in 1998, he won the first prize and two additional prizes for interpretation at the prestigious USA International Harp Competition in Bloomington. 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. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Concertstück for Harp and Orchestra, Op. 39 by Gabriel Pierné
Performer:
Xavier De Maistre (Harp)
Conductor:
Lü Shao-Chia
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Rhenish Philharmonic
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903; France
2.
Concerto for Harp in C major by François Boieldieu
Performer:
Xavier De Maistre (Harp)
Conductor:
Lü Shao-Chia
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Rhenish Philharmonic
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1801; Paris, France
3.
Morceau de Concert for Harp and Orchestra in G major, Op. 154 by Camille Saint-Saëns
Performer:
Xavier De Maistre (Harp)
Conductor:
Lü Shao-Chia
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Rhenish Philharmonic
Period: Romantic
Written: 1918; France
4.
Concerto for Harp in C minor by Henriette Renié
Performer:
Xavier De Maistre (Harp)
Conductor:
Lü Shao-Chia
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Rhenish Philharmonic
Period: Romantic
Written: France
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