SPRING 2017

New recordings

Schumann & Schubert – Anneleen Lenaerts and Dionysis Grammenos have released a harp/clarinet disc of Schubert and Schumann on Warner Classics. All the tracks are masterpieces from the heyday of the German Romantic period: Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata D821 and ‘Ständchen’ from Schwanengesang, Schumann’s Drei Romanzen Op.92 and Fantasiestücke Op.12, and songs by Clara Schumann from the Rückert Lieder.

Events

The Harpissimo-Québec Association, member of the ISFHC (International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen) is celebrating its 20th Season (2016/2017). On this occasion, they have made a video entitled “Harpissimo-Québec: 20 and déjà” which can be seen on YouTube. They also produced a third CD called “Le chant des cordes”.

They are giving many concerts in the Québec province this year, including a concert in Verdun (Montreal) celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation (1867-2017). On this occasion, the group will play an entire program of works by Canadian composers.

Their co-directors and founders, Gisèle Guibord and Robin Grenon, are very proud of the path undertook by Harpissimo-Québec 20 years ago. The association has now 42 members, and The Harpissimo-Québec Ensemble, near 20 active members, mostly from the Montreal area, but also from the region of Eastern Townships, Lanaudière and even Vermont State (U.S.A.), getting together once a month to rehearse and socialize.

For more information, visit our web site: www.harpissimo-quebec.org or www.robingrenon.com

Events

The 6^th Zagreb Harp Festival took place on 21 – 26 November 2017.  Concerts were given by Tajana Vukelić-Peić (harp), Biserka Krčelić (harp), Ensemble “Glazbene staze”; Mirjam Lučev-Debanić (harp), Martin Draušnik (violin); Sirin Pancaraglu (ceng, lever harp, pedal harp); Anneleen Lenaerts (harp) with Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra; Diana Grubišić-Čiković (harp), Tamara Coha-Mandić (flute); Milena Stanišić (harp), Ljiljana Nestorovska (harp); and Andrew Lawrence-King.

Lectures were presented by Nadar Konieczny (Harp Maintenance), Andrew Lawrence-King (Spanish and South American Early Music), Sirin Pancaraglu (History of Ceng), Csilla Gulyas (The Kodaly Concept in Harp Pedagogy) and Anneleen Lenaerts gave a masterclass.

Festivals and Competitions

The Festival d’été de Gargilesse celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer (5-20 August 2017) with 60 harpists performing in 25 events.  The festival was created by Pierre Jamet, whose daughter Marie-Claire will be the guest of honour.

Anne Ricquebourg, who is the artistic director of the festival, writes on the city of artists:
“George Sand, writer, came to Gargilesse since 1857. The last lover of George Sand offered her a little house. It was her refuge. She wrote some of her latest novels at Gargilesse. We can visit her home: it’s like a doll house with many of her  collections: butterflies, insects, pebbles, puppets of his son and her clothes, little shoes…
A lot of painters came also during the impressionistic period. Claude Monet has painted the famous series “boucle de la Creuse” , and Léon Detroy, not well known, but a very good painter, and many others lived here. They have founded “l’école de Crozant “, group of impressionists in the Berry (region of south of Paris). The parents  of Pierre Jamet (Henri Jamet and Marie Mahout) and Pierre Jamet himself  were painters. It’s the reason why Pierre Jamet lived at Gargilesse. Henri Jamet bought his house in 1892. Pierre Jamet was one year old. There are pictures at Gargilesse of Pierre Jamet as a baby, in the arms of his mother, by Henri Jamet . Pictures also of Pierre Jamet and Marie Mahout.
Now, it’s always the city of artists, with painters, sculptors, book illustrators, puppet maker, ironworker of art, picture framer … there are many exhibitions, in the farm, space of the dovecote, the castle, house of Léon Detroy,  museum (which was the school of the village before )…
There are many things to do in the country also: hiking in the countryside, kayak trips on the Creuse. There are very good cheeses (of goat) and culinary specialties.”

Events

The International Harp Festival Suoni D’arpa will take place in Saluzzo (Cuneo) 2-7 September 2017. It will host several artists: Lincoln Almada and Viggiano Popular Orchestra, Hong Kong Harp Centre Ensemble, Marcella Carboni, Park Stickney, LovingDuo, Benoit Wery, new talents baroque harp. associazioneitalianarpa.it

Between 2 and 18 February the third Bologna Harp Festival, organized by the Associazione Culturale Arpeggi, took place.  The focus of this festival lay on music therapy. American and pioneer harpist Christina Tourin, Director of the International Harp Therapy Program in San Diego, gave a two days masterclass for harp students and a concert.

A concert with Davide Burani (harp), Cristina Zavalloni (voice) and orchestra at the Duse Theatre enchanted the audience with popular music by De Falla, Berio and Ravel, while contemporary music from Cage to Glass was played at Imola by Floraleda Sacchi. In the meanwhile, a classical harp and flute concert with Morrighan’s (Irene de Bartolo and Ambra Bianchi) made an echo to the innovative and cross-over repertoire held by Harp & Hang duo (Marianne Gubri, harp and Paolo Borghi, hang and percussions).

Other events were organized at the Music Museum like educational workshops for children on harp in legends and myths with the collaboration of the harp schools of San Remo, Bologna and Imola. Food events took place in some villas in the hills of the city, while yoga, mediation and massage sessions with live harp music opened new opportunities in the field of wellness and sound-healing.

The 10th Festival Le Arpe in Villa will take place in a new location, Castello di Padernello, close to Brescia 23-29 July 2017. There will be several masterclasses, courses and concerts, featuring Anna Loro, Lincoln Almada, Mara Galassi, Flora Papadopulos, Ann Fierens, Silvia Musso, and Chiara Granata. musicadarpa.it

Competitions

The 3rd International Competition Diapason D’Oro will be held in Pordenone 5-7 May 2017.

The 7th International Contest and Festival Suoni D’Arpa under the Artistic Direction of E. Degli Esposti and L.Montenz will take place in Saluzzo 2-7 September 2017. Deadline for applications 10 July 2017. associazioneitalianarpa.it

Awards

Makiko Suzuki was awarded the Asahi Contemporary Music Award from Asahi Shimbun Newspaper and from the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) on 4 December 2016. This award is annually given to the 1st prizewinner of the Kyo-gaku international contemporary music competition to an outstanding contemporary performer. It is an exceptional achievement for a harpist. 

At the 17^th OSAKA International Music Competition in 2016 Nanakon Hirai won the MATSUO prize for harp.

Appointments

Hanako Hirano was appointed harpist to the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra.

Competitions

The 29^th Nippon Harp Competition (Professional Division) will be held 15-19 November 2017 in Soka City. It is open to harpists under 35 years old. Applications will be accepted from 1 to 30 September 2017.  For the required repertoire please refer to: www.Harp-japan.com

Events

On the 28 November 2016, harpist Britt Arend and flutist Rebecca Hall played Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harpat the Manoel Theatre accompanied by members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

On the 25 January 2017, Maltese singers Clare Ghigo and Gillian Zammit, along with harpist Britt Arend performed enchanting music for Harp and Voice at the Salle des Mariages in Paris in a special concert for the EU Presidency Cultural Program.

Caroline Calleja, harp and Fiorella Camilleri performed Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp on the 1 October 2016.

Events

Mercedez Gómez from Mexico performed a series of concerts with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Morocco in Casablanca and Rabat in November 2016. She was soloist for the double concerto Al son for harp, guitar and strings by Mexican composer and conductor, Gerardo Tamez.

Competitions

The Second All-Russia Musical Competition took place in December 2016 and was organized by the Ministry of Culture.

Twenty-two harpists took part in the competition. The three stages showed a very high professional level of the participants. The program included baroque and Russian music, sonatas or program pieces by foreign composers of the 20^th century, virtuoso compositions and Ravel or Debussy with chamber ensemble or orchestra.

Prizes were awarded to:
First prize: Artemiy Izmajlov, St. Petersburg
Second prize: Alexandra Tikhonova, Moscow;  Tatiana Repnikova, St. Petersburg
Third prize: Valera Voschennikova, Moscow

Special mentions: 
For the best performing of Glinka: Marina Chudakova, Moscow;
For the best performing of Bach: Elizaveta Kozina, Moscow;
and three youngest harpists got also mentions: Anastasia Mozol, St. Petersburg; Valeriya Kononikhina, Rostov-on-Don;  Evelina Sabitova, Moscow.

We very much hope that in four years we will have The Third All-Russia Musical Competition.

Festivals

The 13^th Harp Art of Russia Festival started in October 2016 with three concerts of harpists from regional music schools, and continued with three concerts in December. In April 2017 we plan two concerts dedicated to world famous harpists and in May our yearly festival closes with three concerts given by young harpists form regional music schools. During the festival masterclasses will be given.

The main idea of this festival is to promote our instrument, to support all harpists and young composers. Well known composers, members of Russian Harp Society continue to write for harp and ensembles with harp. The Russian Harp Society plays a very important role in harp life in Russia. Every year the performing level becomes higher, we obtain new compositions to perform and the festival is very popular among people. Harp life in Russia, especially in Moscow, is very active.

Events

Urška Preis, electric harp, gave a concert at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, Germany, in February 2017.

In January 2017 Brin Bernatovič gave two solo recitals at the Academy for Music in Zagreb (Croatia) and in Sinsgog (Maribor, Slovenia).

Competitions

Results of the the 4^th International Competition in Velenje, Slovenia:

Category B
Gold Medal:  Josipa Krajina
Silver Medal:  Petra Barišić
Bronze Medal ex aequo:  Gabriela Hodić, Mia Rain, Ellen Šikoka

Category C
Gold Medal, ex aequo:  Brin Bernatović and Veronika Ćiković

All prizewinners are from Slovenia.

News

Kobie du Plessis, from Cape Town, has been invited to perform at the International Harp Festival in Rio and in May 2017 and will give a series of solo recitals.

Ventura Rosenthal of Johannesburg performed a concert on 16t October 2016 with pianist Sue Cock, which included Spanish Dance No. 5 by Granados. She performed at a concert in December 2016 with flautist Melanie Hofmeyr-Burger, which included Fantasia para un gentilhombre by J. Rodrigo.

Christy-Lyn Marais is a singer-harpist from Cape Town with a passion for performing and making harp more accessible to listeners and learners. She has been chosen to give a workshop at the Virtual Harp Summit in March 2017 on How to Sing and Play the Harp.

In February 2017 she performed at the Knysna Celtic Festival with her own arrangements of Irish and Scottish songs. These are now available for download on her website www.christylynmusic.com

In 2016 she started a series of “Harp Help” videos on YouTube and she also gives regular online concerts which draw viewers from many different time zones who make comments in real-time while Christy-Lyn performs and answers questions between the songs.   

Lisa Britz, still a high school student in Cape Town, was a Finalist in the National Youth Music Competition in October 2016 and was awarded the prestigious runner up prize in the “Other Instruments” category. At the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre Prize Giving she was honored among the three top achievers of the school. She performed as soloist in the Fantasy for Harp and Strings by Allan Stephenson with the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra during their tour to Bratislava, Vienna and Prague in December 2016.

Events

The V. Jornadas de arpa, organized by AEDA, took place at the end of June in the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música in Madrid. Sylvain Blassel conducted a masterclass and gave a solo recital. Other performers included Adriano Sagineto and Rosa Diaz Cotán, and Enrique Rueda held a lecture on the Debussy Trio.

Courses

The 25^th Curs d’estiu d’arpa, organized by the Catalan Harp Association, took place in June in Valencia. Teachers were Anna Maria Martínez (Valencia Conservatory), M. Lluïsa Ibañez, Marta Jarne, Teresa Espuny, Arnau Roura, Melani Molina, and Carme Ubach. This event took place with the collaboration of the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Valencia, euromúsica Fersan and Salvi Harps.

SWITZERLAND

Events

Anne Bassand was the organizer of the Harp Festival “Harfenfest Luzern 2016” in September 2016. Masterclasses and concerts were given by Susann McDonald, Anne Bassand, Monika Stadler, and Duo Flicklauder (Sabine Moser, harp and Rahel Marty, violin).

Events

First prize winner of the 2016 International Harp Contest in Israel, Yuying Chen, was invited to play the Ginastera Harp Concerto with the Moment Musical Orchestra on 14 November 2016.

The first Camac Prize Taiwan took place from 26 October to 26 November 2016 in Taipei. With the help of modern technology, the participants from six countries were able to complete their first round through the internet. The final stages were held the day before the closing ceremony on 27 November. The winners (Charmaine Teo from Singapore; Rose Shek and Wong Yu Yin Cantadivina, both from Hong Kong), guest harpists (Jakez Francois, France; Saori Mouri, Japan; Joy Yeh, Canada), and local harpist, Shanon Chieh, played at the closing concert. 

Shannon Chieh, curator of the 2016 Innovation Series for the National Performing Arts Center, not only produced a modern music theatre incorporates theatrical elements, visual arts, new media and lighting design including herself performing Fidelité by G. Aperghis, but also invited Neue Vocalsolisten and Ensemble Quatrain Cologne from Germany to be part of this year’s series.

Events

Şirin Pancaroğlu gave three benefit concerts for the Association for the Art of the Harp and Polio Disease Fund in October through December 2016 in Istanbul.

She made a musical presentation under the name of “the color in music” on 4 February at the Summart Art Center, Istanbul.

Pancaroğlu’s “Cengnagme” project was performed on 26 November with Bora Uymaz (voice), Mete Aslan (oud), Kasif Demiröz (reed flute), and Oray Yay (percussion) in Istanbul and Adana with Bora Uymaz (voice), and Ali Tufekci (reed flute).

Pancaroğlu gave Turkish Traditional Music workshops and masterclasses on pedal harp on 16 – 20 January in Izmir.

Cagatay Akyol performed with Bulent Evcil (flute) at Hekimbasi Yalisi, Istanbul on 6 and 14 November at Goethe Institute, Ankara and 21 November at Hikmet Simsek Art Center, Izmir. He gave two concerts with his ensemble “Arpanatolia” at the Turkish Japanese Foundation, Ankara and at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur.

Meric Donuk performed the promotional concert of her first solo album Mahfuz on 8 October at Adahan Hotel in Istanbul.

Gizem Aksoy gave a concert with Sonat Sözeri (flute) at Adnan Saygun Art Center, Izmir in January.

Achievements

Oliver Wass won third prize and the Andreas Vigh prize in the IV Szeged International Harp Competition in December 2016. Together with his trio, the Pelléas Ensemble, he won the Grand Prize and Audience Prize in the St Martin’s-in-the-Fields Chamber Competition, First Prize in the British Harp Chamber Music Competition, a Park Lane Group Young Artists’ recital at SJSS and they were finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition.

Elisabeth Eder won 1st prize in the VIII Concorso Musicale di Filadelfia in Italy, and 3rd prize in the 6th International Harp Competition in Sandstedt, Germany.

Courses

Maria Cleary, Catherine White, Helga Storck, and Andrew Lawrence-King gave masterclasses at Guildhall School in London.

This year, Ibacus International Harp Courses will be running their Summer Course from 14-19 August 2017 for harpists aged 14-24, and also a Spring Course from 31 March – 3 April 2017 for adult learners. www.ibacusharpcourse.com