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AHJ, Vol. 2 No. 1, Spring 1969

AHJ, Vol. 2 No. 1, Spring 1969

AHJ, Vol. 2 No. 1, Spring 1969

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ered. The duration of the whole work 1s<br />

about nine minutes, and the harp part 1s<br />

not difficult.<br />

Fox, Charles, Ancient Dance ( after Ravel),<br />

Peer International Coq~oration, N.Y.<br />

This is for the musically advanced harpist.<br />

The piece is admirably fingered and the<br />

pedals accurately noted. There are quite a<br />

few, but all very possible. There is a slower<br />

middle section that is very expressive. The<br />

composer has a very thorough knowledge<br />

of the instrument.<br />

Hoddinott, Alun, Sonata for Harp, Opus<br />

36, Oxford University Press, N.Y. This was<br />

commissioned by the 1964 Chettenham Festival<br />

and was edited by Osian Ellis, the first<br />

performer. Fourteen pages long, it consists<br />

of three movements, Moderato, Adagio espressivo<br />

and Presto-alla Tarantella. This is<br />

a major work, and not for the inexperienced.<br />

Orr, Buxton, Three Diatonic Preludes<br />

for Harp, Oxford University Press, N.Y.<br />

Once the key signatures have been set, there<br />

are no pedal changes in these pieces. The<br />

first, Alla Marcia is crisp and well accented.<br />

The second, Tranquillo, has a lovely melody,<br />

light and graceful. The last, Vivace, sparkles<br />

without being too difficult. These preludes<br />

were edited by Sidonie Goossens.<br />

Adler, Samuel, Introduction and Capriccio,<br />

Southern Music, N.Y. The first two<br />

pages of the Introduction contain fifty-one<br />

pedal changes, but only eight are notated.<br />

This I can never understand. The music is<br />

unusual and the changes unexpected. The<br />

Capriccio is well named, for one meets the<br />

unexpected at every turn. The rhythmic<br />

pattern, though not difficult to follow is<br />

constantly changing and the harmonic<br />

structure is full of unresolved dissonance.<br />

Spohr, Ludwig, Sonata Concertante, Opus<br />

113, for violin and harp, Theodore Presser,<br />

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Edited by Marjorie<br />

Call and Louis Kaufman. Those who<br />

attended the Conference in Santa Barbara<br />

last summer will recall the beautiful performance<br />

this piece received. Having reviewed<br />

so much contemporary music it was<br />

a delight to relax to the charm and grace<br />

of this music. It poses some problems, but<br />

interesting ones. There is so little of the<br />

music of this period in print that it becomes<br />

an even more valuable contribution.<br />

SPRING/ <strong>1969</strong><br />

Stevens, Halsey, Prelude, Peer International<br />

Corporation, N.Y. This work should<br />

be played in a flowing manner without<br />

stiffness. There is a melodic line which becomes<br />

apparent as one becomes more familiar<br />

with the harmonic structure. Two pages,<br />

Andante. It is, by the way, dedicated to<br />

Anne Adams.<br />

Devos, Gerard, Methode de Harpe, Editions<br />

Rideau Rouge, Paris. In this book Mr.<br />

Devos endeavors to define the fundamentals<br />

of harp technique as have so many before<br />

him. The work is copiously illustrated, but<br />

contains no exercises beyond the key of C.<br />

Anno11neeD1ent<br />

We would like to invite our readers to<br />

submit articles for publication in the Journal.<br />

A great many people have interesting<br />

material at hand that could be made into<br />

articles of general interest, but seem to<br />

suffer excessive shyness about writing it up.<br />

A brief look at past issues will reveal the<br />

sort of material needed-historical, educational,<br />

technical, biographical, etc. If you<br />

studied with the great teacher X, let everyone<br />

know about it, for a lot of us were<br />

students of Y, and are anxious to know all<br />

about X and his teaching methods. If you<br />

are interested in the early history of the<br />

harp in a certain culture, tell us about it.<br />

Regarding the submitting of materials<br />

( and this applies to those who send in Chapter<br />

Reports, items for People and Places,<br />

etc., as well) , all copy should be typed using<br />

triple spacing. This leaves room for all the<br />

typographical and editorial comment that<br />

has to be furnished for the printer's information.<br />

Linotype operators abhor singlespaced<br />

copy, and much time is lost in retyping<br />

illegible material. Obviously, some<br />

don't type, and certainly we understand<br />

this.<br />

The Journal is only as good as our contributors<br />

make it, so spend a few minutes<br />

considering whether or not you might not<br />

be able to make a contribution that would<br />

serve the interests of the harp and of harpists<br />

everywhere.<br />

7

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