AHJ, Vol. 5 No. 3, Summer 1976

we stopped to see the three stones marked with an inscription
where the three countries of Holland, Belgium
and Germany are contiguous. A tall tower, which none
of us seemed eager to climb, provided a view that must
have been breath-taking. However, Boni Reitveld, was
soon heard sounding his trumpet from its highest platform
bringing smiles to our faces. We, meanwhile, were
seated at small round tables looking at the handsome
view of the countryside, sipping coffee laced with
whipped cream and eating ices.
Returning to Europa Huis, the afternoon was spent
preparing for the evening, the finale of the Sixteenth
International Harpweek. Given in the Staargebouw
of Maastricht, it was a brilliant affair with a concert
hall filled with elegantly dressed people. Three harpists
were presented as soloists with the Limburgs Symphonie
Orkest with Andre Rieu as conductor. The first was
Teresia Rieu, wife of the conductor, playing Maurice
Ravel's Introduction and Allegro. Madame Rieu,
dressed in a softly-fitted gown with renaissance sleeves,
played impeccably, complimenting the fine orchestra.
The second was Phia Berghout, who played Claude
Debussy's Danse Sacree et Danse Profane. Her gown
was charming in two shades of soft green, which, as
fortune would have it, echoed and was complimented
by the backdrop. She made a beautiful picture seated at
her golden harp. With great power and understanding
she brought the music to life. The orchestra blended
with her playing to perfection.
The third was Vera Dulova, premiere harpist of the
Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and Professor of Harp at
the Moscow Conservatory of Music. At the age of nine
Vera Dulova began studying the harp and was a pupil of
Maria Korchinska. Madame Dulova, dressed in a handsome
gown of gold brocade played the Gliere Concerto,
Opus 74 for harp and orchestra. It was a virtuoso performance.
At its conclusion, the audience rose to its feet
to compliment the three artists. The hall echoed to the
applause and the artists were forced to return time and
time again for their plaudits.
After the concert, we returned to Europa Huis where
a buffet dinner was served. Boni Reitveld, as master of
ceremonies, and Arthur Buckingham kept us amused
all evening. Gifts were presented to Madame Berghout
and Madame Korchinska and the events of the past
week were discussed and enjoyed once again in retrospect.
The next morning each us departed to catch trains,
planes, and buses to return to our countries where we
would review the events of International Harpweek
for our confreres and pupils who were unable to come.
These Harpweeks are of tremendous value. Each harpist
attending is influenced by the music heard, the ideas
exchanged, and the friendships made. There is no doubt
that the future of the harp world will benefit by the
greater musical understanding and finesse which develops
out of this close association between the many
harpists from so many different countries.
MARILYN COSTELLO
Solo Harpist -
Philadelphia Orchestra
INSTRUCTOR OF HARP-
THE CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
Scholarship Pupils Only
For Information, Write:
SECRETARY OF ADMISSIONS
1726 Locust Street
Rittenhouse Square, Phila., Pa. 19103
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC
For Information, Write:
PRESSER HALL
13th and Norris Streets, Phila., Pa. 19122
48
AMERICAN HARP JOURNAL