Two Prominent Women Harpists
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Two of this evening’s worksMaurice Ravel’s “Introduction and Allegro” and William Grant Still’s “Ennanga”feature the harp, played not by angels, but by two prominent women harpists.
Nancy Allen, international soloist and chair of the harp department at Juilliard is the harpist in the Ravel work, which also features flutist Ransom Wilson and clarinetist David Shifrin, along with the Tokyo String Quartet. The work was commissioned by Erard, a Parisian manufacturer of pianos and harps that wanted a work written ASAP to compete with Debussy’s “Danses sacree et profane,” which was written to show off a new chromatic harp constructed by the rival company, Peyel. Both works have become popular staples in the repertoire, beloved not just by harpies but also by music lovers in general. The Tokyo players can be heard live at the 92nd Street Y on February 12th.
Ann Hobson Pilot, principal harpist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has had a long and distinguished recording and performing career. She is joined by pianist Vivian Taylor and the string quintet Videmus for Still’s “Ennanga,” a pastoral work written in honor of the African harp of that name. A trip to Ann’s website will allow you to find out about her journey to Namibia to explore the roots of her instrument.
Il Seminario Musicale takes us back to the Classical era as the group plays George Frederick Handel’s Trio Sonata in G, HWV 399, a 1734 work in which Handel borrowed extensively from himself, quoting music from “Athalia,” “Parnasso in festa,” “Il pastor fido,” and “Alcina.” The amalgam is successful, the five-movement sonata being the kind of cohesive wonder only a great master could pull off.
» View today's selected reading from "The Writer's Almanac"
Hosted by Garrison Keillor
Nancy Allen, international soloist and chair of the harp department at Juilliard is the harpist in the Ravel work, which also features flutist Ransom Wilson and clarinetist David Shifrin, along with the Tokyo String Quartet. The work was commissioned by Erard, a Parisian manufacturer of pianos and harps that wanted a work written ASAP to compete with Debussy’s “Danses sacree et profane,” which was written to show off a new chromatic harp constructed by the rival company, Peyel. Both works have become popular staples in the repertoire, beloved not just by harpies but also by music lovers in general. The Tokyo players can be heard live at the 92nd Street Y on February 12th.
Ann Hobson Pilot, principal harpist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has had a long and distinguished recording and performing career. She is joined by pianist Vivian Taylor and the string quintet Videmus for Still’s “Ennanga,” a pastoral work written in honor of the African harp of that name. A trip to Ann’s website will allow you to find out about her journey to Namibia to explore the roots of her instrument.
Il Seminario Musicale takes us back to the Classical era as the group plays George Frederick Handel’s Trio Sonata in G, HWV 399, a 1734 work in which Handel borrowed extensively from himself, quoting music from “Athalia,” “Parnasso in festa,” “Il pastor fido,” and “Alcina.” The amalgam is successful, the five-movement sonata being the kind of cohesive wonder only a great master could pull off.
» View today's selected reading from "The Writer's Almanac"
Hosted by Garrison Keillor
