Lucy Nolan (Harp)
Award-winning professional harpist Lucy Nolan began studying the harp at the age of seven with Eira Lynn Jones after being inspired when it was featured in an episode of the children’s television show Teletubbies! She has performed for us before on Saturday 23 September 2023. The press report said “Not only is Lucy Nolan an expert harpist she is also an excellent communicator, enthusiastically explaining the background to pieces, adding interesting technical details”.
Here is a PDF of the Poster for this Concert (click to VIEW or right click to SAVE). Please feel free to print and display the poster to help publicise this concert.
Programme (announced 24th November)
Marcel Tournier: Au Matin
Louis Spohr: Fantasia for Harp
Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Harp
(3 movements)
Marius Flothuis: Pour le Tombeau d’Orphee
Bernard Andrès: Absidioles
I N T E R V A L
Ailie Robertson: Sands of Hosta
Catriona McKay: Kronos Reel
Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune
Pearl Chertok: Around the Clock Suite
(2 movements)
Uno Alexander Vesje: Footsteps in an Empty Room
Jean Michel Damase: Tango
Brief Report “on the night”
Lucy began by playing (on her double action pedal harp) a French romantic piece by Marcel Tournier. This was followed by a much earlier (1807) piece which would have been originally played on a much simpler (1 note per string) earlier design. Following this with a 1939 piece demonstrated the difference that could be accomplished by a pedal harp. The first half finished with 2 pieces which demonstrated the beautiful but tragic mood that can be produced.
The second half began with Lucy explain the different design of her lever (Gaelic) harp which can produce 2 notes per string (compared to the 3 notes achievable on her pedal harp). The next 2 pieces were then played on this simpler instrument with a definite Scottish feel to the second one. Then (back on her pedal harp) came the only piece transcribed for the harp, as opposed to originally composed for it. “Clair de Lune” certainly suited this transcription. Next came 2 movements from a Suite that had a very jazzy feel. Finally she played 2 tangos that certainly got our feet tapping.
As an encore Lucy treated us to “Wiegala” by Ilse Weber. This piece was composed whilst she was in a Nazi concentration camp, but it belied its origin by being calm and beautiful. All in all another splendid concert.
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| Pedal Harp | Lever Harp |
For more information about Lucy Nolan visit her own website (in a new window), by clicking HERE
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