Harp as soloist
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Australian music for harp
Harp music and harp playing in Australia have a long and rich history, dating back at least to the first half of the 19th century. But it is since the 1950s that Australian composers have really discovered the potential of the harp as a solo and ensemble instrument. Eugene Goossens wrote many works including harp, inspired by his two sisters who were both virtuoso players. Peggy Glanville-Hicks, although based in the USA at this time, undoubtedly influenced many who came after her. Since the 1970s, composers such as Anne Boyd, Peter Sculthorpe, Barry Conyngham, Richard Meale, Ross Edwards and many others have created beautiful soundscapes using all manner of techniques on the instrument.
In recent years there has been a wealth of music composed for the harp due to key performers championing and commissioning new Australian compositions. Marshall Mcguire, Alice Giles and Emily Granger – to name a few have commissioned and recorded new works which has brought Australian harp repertoire to the global attention via streaming platforms. Many more Australian composers have now written for the harp who include Tristan Coelho, Anne Cawrse, Andrea Keller, Jessica Wells and Elena Kats-Chernin.
Representative works
| Work | Notes | |
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| Sonata for harp (1951) by Peggy Glanville-Hicks | One of the great works of the harp repertoire, this work in three movements is brilliantly written for harp, using the full range of colours and timbres from the instrument. A twentieth-century classic. |
| Threaded stars 2 (2006) by Jennifer Fowler | A sparkling, gently evolving work from the London-based Jenny Fowler, Threaded Stars slowly unravels in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour. | |
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| Chamber of horrors (1995) by Elena Kats-Chernin | A dramatic way to open or close any recital, Kats-Chernin's piece is about as scary as a three-year-old with a sheet over her head. Full of rich chords and dramatic arpeggios, this piece is now a favourite around the world. |
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| Awakening (1991) by Barry Conyngham | Written with the advanced student in mind, this work (in 11 separate movements) can be played as whole or movement by movement. Some retuning of the harp is necessary to enable a greater range of tunings. |
| There ain't no harps in hell, angel! (2001) by Colin Bright | For harp and electronics, this is a full-on, rock-and-roll piece for amplified harp and pre-recorded tape. Snippets of AC/DC and Handel frame this fantastic piece. |
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| The harp and the moon (2008) by Ross Edwards | The newest work from Ross Edwards, this work in two-movements starts as a gentle meditation and turns into a rhythmic dance. Brand new in the harp repertoire, this has already proven a hit with audiences. |
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| Atmospheres (2021) by Katia Mestrovic | Atmospheres moves between contrasting soundscapes, showcasing the harp's capacity for cumulative and intermingling resonances. |
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| The Republic of Dreams (1996) by Gerard Brophy | First performance by Marshall McGuire, Stephen Peterka and Adelaide Chamber Orchestra . |
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| Church at Domburg (2007) by Stuart Greenbaum | The 3rd of 8 movements that comprise Mondrian Interiors for solo harp with mixed ensemble. |
| Cassander the strong (2023) by Andrea Keller | Inspired by the pantomime characters of Copenhagen's Tivoli amusement park in Denmark. | |
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| Dunes (2017) by Alex Turley | Exploring simplicity and contemplation, with melodic fragments and small gestures combining into rising and falling waves of music. |
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| Forest Stories (2022) by Tristan Coelho | An 8 minute work of medium difficulty. |
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| A Painting by Magritte (2017) by Ian Whitney | This piece is a response to "Golconda" a painting by Belgian surrealist René Magritte. |
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| Liena (2008) by Sally Greenaway | Has flavours of Jazz, Latin, and Piazzolla. |
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| Motions of Equinox II. Nostalgia for Celestial Bodies (2022) by Christine Pan | Includes some fast pedal changes, interplay between sounding notes and harmonics, some extended techniques. |
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| Patience and Grace (2023) by Anne Cawrse | Commissioned by HUSH Music Foundation for performance by Emily Granger, Claire Edwardes. |