Thomas: Complete Duos for Harp & Piano, Vol. 1

Featuring

Praxedis Hug-Rütti
Praxedis Geneviève Hug
Duo Praxedis
John Thomas
Ludwig van Beethoven
George Frideric Handel

Charles Gounod

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Performer Biography

Duo Praxedis, consisting of mother and daughter Praxedis Hug-Rütti (harp) and Praxedis Geneviève Hug (piano), is dedicated to reviving forgotten works for harp and piano.

Compositional Technique

The Souvenir du Nord, composed by John Thomas, is based on the Russian melody 'The Nightingale' by Alexander Alyabyev, which was also transcribed by Liszt and used by Pauline Viardot.

Composer's Artistic Vision

John Thomas was officially recognized as 'Pencerdd Gwalia' or 'Chief of Welsh Musicians' at the Aberdare Eisteddfod in 1861 for his efforts in promoting Welsh music.

Composer Biography

As a child, John Thomas won an eisteddfod, a Welsh festival, playing a triple harp in the traditional Welsh manner, which earned him a new triple harp as a prize.

Composer Biography

John Thomas, the composer, was born on St. David's Day, the patron saint of Wales, a coincidence that fueled his lifelong pride in his Welsh heritage.

Composer Biography

Ada, Lady Lovelace, the daughter of poet Lord Byron and a harpist herself, was so impressed by young John Thomas that she offered to pay three-quarters of his Royal Academy of Music fees.

Composer Biography

John Thomas was appointed harpist to Queen Victoria in 1872, succeeding his own teacher, and later became harpist to Edward VII after Victoria's death.