Three pieces from the twentieth century on this album, by Hindemith, Mortari, and Rota, were composed directly before and after the Second World War, during an extremely difficult time.
Album & Artwork
This album presents the complete impromptus written for solo harp, supplemented by other original works and arrangements from the eighteenth and twentieth centuries.
Compositional Technique
Hindemith's Harp Sonata, written with the assistance of harpist Clelia Gatti Aldrovandi, features a last movement, 'Lied,' based on a romantic text by Ludwig Christoph Hölty.
Composition History
The Italian harpist Clelia Gatti Aldrovandi worked with composers like Hindemith, Mortari, and Rota, influencing their harp compositions, including Rota's Sarabanda e Toccata which was dedicated to her.
Interpretation
The performer, Sarah O'Brien, was particularly fascinated by the theme of impromptus because it contains the improvisational aspect, which suits the harp well.
Performer Biography
Sarah O'Brien studied with Catherine Eisenhoffer and Susann McDonald, and her education was complemented by further studies with the great harpist Pierre Jamet, who worked with Debussy.
Performer Biography
Sarah O'Brien, the harpist on this album, was principal harpist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam and the Munich Philharmonic for over 20 years.
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