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glo5251
Wydawnictwo: Globe
Nr katalogowy: GLO 5251
Nośnik: 1 CD
Data wydania: kwiecień 2012
EAN: 8711525525108
68,00zł
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Epoka muzyczna: romantyzm
Obszar (język): angielski
Instrumenty: harfa
Rodzaj: pieśń

Thomas: Welsh Music for Voice an d Harps - Pencerdd Gwalia & Harpist to Queen Victoria

Globe - GLO 5251
Wykonawcy
Rachel Ann Morgan, mezzo-soprano, harp
Edward Witsenburg, harp
John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia) Born in Bridgend, Glamorgan, his father, a tailor by trade and an enthusiastic amateur musician is reported to have been his son’s first harp teacher. He learnt to play the traditional Welsh triple harp, an instrument with some 99 strings set in three rows and typically placed on the left shoulder. When he entered the Royal Academy of Music he was obliged to exchange his triple harp for the standard double-action pedal harp.

He went on to have an amazing career. Next to his appointment at the Italian Opera seasons at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, he traveled all around Europe. Berlioz, who heard him play in Paris in 1854, confessed himself ‘charmé, fasciné, magnetisé’. He was invested with the title of Pencerdd Gwalia (Chief Musician of Wales) at the national eisteddfod held at Aberdare in 1861, and ten years later, on the death of his teacher, Frederick Chatterton, he succeded him not only as professor at the Royal Academy of Music, but also, in 1872, as harpist-in-ordinary to the Queen. A further royal appointment as musician-in-ordinary followed in 1885, and after the death of Queen Victoria he ended his distinguished career as harpist to Edward VII.

Every available photograph of John Thomas shows him seated at one of Erard’s elegant ‘Gothic’ model harps, and indeed, during his lifetime he bought five new London-made Erard harps, the last two in 1890 (no.6680) and 1891 (no.6537). The two Paris-made Erard harps which Edward Witsenburg and Rachel Ann Morgan play on this CD were built respectively in 1898 and 1914, thus ensuring, for a twenty-first century listener, the exciting possibility of hearing John Thomas’s compositions recreated with the most authentic sound possible, just as they would have been heard over a century ago.

This album focuses on an erea that had John Thomas’ attention throughout his career: a love for the traditional song from his native Welsh Country. He wrote many arrangements for harp(s) with or without Song, some of the nicest are now collected on this album.

The mezzo-soprano and harpist, Rachel Ann Morgan, has become internationally well-known for her concerts in which she accompanies herself on the concert harp and the Celtic harp. She has performed in Japan, America, Canada and Russia as well as in many European countries.

Edward Witsenburg is the doyen of Dutch harpists. His career extends over more than half a century. He continues the tradition set forth by the celebrated Dutch harpist, Rosa Spier, who was famous for her expressive style of playing.

Zobacz także:

  • CHR 77475
  • CC 72949
  • FHR 142
  • GEN 23806
  • SIGCD 720
  • DMCHR 71445
  • WER 64422
  • AV 2668
  • COR 16199
  • ARS 38656