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The Harp's Journey, with Catrin Finch

The Harp's Journey, with Catrin Finch: Episode 1

Catrin Finch: Travels with my Harp

Episode 1

BBC Radio 3 - The Harp's Journey, with Catrin Finch, Episode 1

Catrin Finch begins her travels with the music that ignited her passion for the harp.

Catrin Finch begins her musical travels with the pieces that opened her ears to the magical sound of instrument, from Handel to Henriette Renié, a leading figure in the harp world.

One of our oldest instruments, the harp has a long and noble history attached to it. From ancient Egypt, to troubadours and princely courts, the harp has held audiences captive for centuries. Instantly recognisable, its gilded beauty proudly announces its presence, yet beyond the glamour of its appearance, and a prominent role as a member of the modern orchestra, it remains one of the least well known instruments in the classical world.  
As a touring musician, Catrin Finch has encountered music from the classical world and a host of other traditions. All of them have helped to shape her thinking and her knowledge of her instrument. In this three-part series the acclaimed virtuoso shares her insights, taking us on a surprising and a very personal journey.

Pivotal to her own musical evolution, in part one we hear the first pieces Catrin Finch came across, that convinced her to pick up the harp.  She begins with her vivid memories of being six and hearing a sizzling performance given by Marisa Robles in a local concert hall in West Wales. The influence of the Welsh traditional harp and the 18th century composer John Parry, lead on to the 20th century fireworks of William Mathias, a composer who exploited the language of the harp in a completely modern way. Works by Fauré, Debussy and Ravel, some of the best loved works within the harp's repertoire, are joined by Henriette Renié, a name of equal significance within the harp world, but who is little known if at all beyond that, but whose contribution to the instrument can be traced through the generations to harp players today.
With excerpts from: 

Jésus Guridi:  ‘Viejo Zortzico’						 
Marisa Robles, harp 

Fauré: Impromptu no 6 in D flat major for harp, op 86
Marisa Robles, harp 

Parry: Sonata no 3 (excerpt) 
Elinor Bennett, harp 

William Mathias: Santa fe suite
III: Sun Dance
Elinor Bennett, harp 

Handel: Concerto for harp in B flat major, op 4 no 6, HWV 294
I: Andante Allegro 
Andrew Lawrence King, harp 
Stephen Stubbs, lute 
Erin Headley, lirone 
The Sixteen 
Harry Christophers, director 

Debussy: Danse Profane
Lavinia Meijer, harp 
Amsterdam Sinfonietta

Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
Skaila Kanga, harp 
Philippa Davies, flute 
Michael Collins, Clarinet
The Nash Ensemble 

Henriette Renié: Danse des Lutins
Susann Mc Donald, harp 

Glière: Concerto for Harp, op 74
I: Moderato 
Anneleen Lenaerts, harp 
Brussels Philharmonic 
Michel Tabachnik, conductor 

Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Wales

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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Catrin Finch shares her insights, taking us on a surprising and a very personal journey.

In this three-part series, the acclaimed virtuoso Catrin Finch shares her insights, taking us on a surprising and a very personal journey.

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