Valarie Wang
I have been playing harp for one and a half years. I am currently a 5th grader in El Carmelo Elementary school in Palo Alto.
LE BON PETIT ROI D’YVETOT by Marcel Grandjany
“LE BON PETIT ROI D’YVETOT” is from two popular French folk songs composed by Marcel Grandjany. The French-American harpist and composer was born in Paris in 1891. He moved to the United States in 1936 and was appointed head of the Harp Department at the Juilliard School in 1938, where he taught until his death in 1975. He wrote a lot of music for the harp, including original compositions and transcriptions. He is also a professional organist. |
Theme and Variations by Josef Haydn, tr. Salzedo
“Theme and Variations'' was composed by Franz Josef Haydn (Austria, 1732-1809), and transcribed for harp by Carlos Salzedo (France, 1885-1961). Carlos Salzedo was a famous harpist, composer and conductor. He was invited to play in an orchestra in New York city, so he left France for America in 1909. He co-founded the International Composers Guild in 1921 and influenced many composers with his new ideas for the harp’s sound. “Theme and Variations'' is a common musical structure in classical music. A musical idea called the theme is played at the start of the piece, and the different variations can be created by varying melody, rhythm, harmony/tonality, time signature, dynamics, etc. |
Saumya Raval
My name is Saumya Raval. I've been playing the harp for four years. I am currently in seventh grade, at Sunol Glen school.
Vanille by Bernard Andres
There are five sections in Vanille, all of which are in the 2/4 meter. The first, third, and fifth sections are very similar, and they are in D minor. Since they are similar, it implies that Vanille is a rondo. It is starting with a section that comes back later in the piece. The second section of the piece alternates between the G minor 7 and D minor 7 harmonies in every measure. The harmonies of the fourth section are F major, two measures of G minor 7, and then F major again, and this pattern is repeated for another four measures. The harmonies of the next eight measures are A minor, G minor 7, C9, F major, and they repeat, though the last measure is an A suspension chord. There are also special effects in the piece: the knocking on the harp and the subtle playing of the lower part of the strings. Vanille is definitely a very exciting, lively, and joyful piece of music. It is the second of the four pieces in Epices (Spices). |
Chanson dans la Nuit (Song in the Night)
There are three sections in Song in the Night. The first section is in a 4/4 meter. The song starts with a very peaceful feel, and it starts in the Cb major harmony, which then changes to the D major harmony, transitions into other harmonies, and finally lands on the Eb and Bb chords, therefore setting up an Eb harmony. Then, it transitions into two measures of G harmonics. This sets up the harmony for the next section. The second section is in a 6/8 meter instead of the 4/4 meter, and it is in the C major harmony, with interspersed glissando chords (which are in Bb major 6). This section is easily the most interesting section, and it is enjoyable to both play and hear. The last section starts with C major, therefore continuing the harmony that is from the 6/8 section. The chords' harmonies are CM, Gm, Am, Gm, CM, Gm, Cm, and GbM, The last few measures of the piece are made up of chord glissandi, some of which are played with nails. It ends very quietly and peacefully. |
Audrey Negrete
My name is Audrey Negrete. I'm a sophomore at Half Moon Bay High School. I've been playing the harp for nine years. Apart from playing the harp, I enjoy writing and taking care of my pet chickens.
Scherzetto by Jaques Ibert
Jacques Ibert (I890 - 1962) was a French composer. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and won the Prix de Rome, it's top prize, the first time he tried to. He served in World War I. His music was known for being different from the more well-known genres of his time. The piece Scherzetto reflects his lighthearted, quirky personality. |
No. 9 from 12 Etudes for Harp, Op. 45, by Johann Sebastian Bach, tr. Marcel Grandjany
Marcel Grandjany (1891 - 1975) was a French-American harpist and composer. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Alphonse Hasselmans and won the Premier Prix when he was thirteen years old. He appeared as a soloist and went on to teach at different schools in the United States. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) was a German composer and musician. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. Grandjany transcribed his Violin Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin for harp. |
Melody Chien
Melody Chien is an eighth grader at Miller Middle School. She has been playing the harp for four years. She currently plays harp for the Philharmonic Orchestra and also participates in a harp ensemble. In her free time, she enjoys making digital art, playing piano, and taking care of her dog.
Duke by Benard Andres
French composer Bernard Andres was born in 1941. He studied at the Besancon and Strasbourg Conservatory, as well as the Paris National Conservatory under Jacqueline Borot. After receiving a prize for harp, he became a principal harpist for the Air Force and Symphonic Orchestras. His pieces are a mix of traditional and contemporary works, and he has over 60 pieces written and edited. |
Allegretto by Giovanni Pescetti
Giovanni Battista Pescetti was born in 1704 and died in 1766. Having been born in Venice, he studied under composer Antonio Lotti. He wrote operas for theaters. In 1736, he left Venice for London and became the director of the Opera of the Nobility in 1737. After leaving London in 1745, he was an organist at St. Mark’s. |
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Sophia Shan
My name is Sophia Shan, I'm a sophomore at Harker High School, and I've been playing harp for approximately 7 years. My two pieces are Allegretto by Pescetti and Duke by Andres.
Allegretto by Giovanni Battista Pescetti
Giovanni Battista Pescetti was born in 1704 in Venice, Italy. He studied under organist and opera composer Antonio Lotti, and eventually wrote operas for various theatres in Venice as well. This piece, the Allegretto, was originally written for harpsichord, which was then trimmed to be played with harp. |
Duke by Benard Andres
Bernard Andres, born in Belfort in 1941, began composing at age 8. His goal was to combine traditional and contemporary sounds into his pieces. He played harp for the Paris Opera Orchestra and Radio France and married a French poet who inspired many of his titles. |
David Lin
David Lin is currently a sophomore at Homestead High School. David has studied the harp for almost six years. He is currently studying with Dan Levitan and Linda Wood Rollo. He has won many awards including the 2nd place at the Hong Kong International Competition and placed at 1st Place at the USIMC Competition. He has also won multiple awards from YLS competition. He was the principal harpist with California Youth Associate Symphony and is currently the principal harpist for Golden State Youth Senior Orchestra. David also participates in numerous academic endeavors in and outside of school. He loves photography, science, and watching emotional movies.
Sonata in F Major Lass Of Richmond Hill by Jan Ladislav Dussek
Jan Ladislav Dussek was a Czech composer and pianist born in 1731. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. His wife was Sophia Dussek also a composer, harpist, and pianist of Italian descent. He wrote many sonatas which is considered standard repertoire for harpists today. He was considered one of the best regarded pianists in Europe before Beethoven's rise to prominence. He remained popular even in the 19th century Great Britain and USA. Dussek was asked to write sonata on Lass of Richmond Hill which was a popular traditional folk song written by Leonard McNally and was composed by James Hook. The tune rose to fame and was one of the favorites of King George III. The music was used as a military march by the British Army. It wasn't until recent years that the lost version of the music was transcribed properly for harp by Susann McDonald and Linda Wood Rollo. |
Viejo Zortzico by Viejo Zortzico
Viejo Zortzico is a Spanish pieve written by Jesus Guridi and is one of his most notable and famous pieces. The name Viejo means old and Zortzico means time and dotted rhythm in Basque. The piece is based on a dance rhythm that orginates from the Basque country. Jesús Guridi Bidaola (25 September 1886 – 7 April 1961) was a Spanish Basque composer who was a key player in 20th-century Spanish and Basque music. His style fits into the late Romantic idiom, directly inherited from Wagner, and with a strong influence from Basque culture. |
Judy Liu
Judy Liu is 17 years old. She is a junior at Basis Independent Silicon Valley and has been playing harp for 7 years. She is currently studying harp from Linda Wood Rollo.
Aria in Classic Style by Marcel Grandjany
The first piece will be “Aria in Classic Style” written for harp with an organ accompaniment by Marcel Grandjany. Grandjany was a French-American harpist and composer who lived from 1891 to 1975. Needless to say, Grandjany was an amazing performer and teacher; he had begun the study of harp at age eight and debuted with the Concerts Lamoureux Orchestra at seventeen, which was also the premiere place of many notable works by many notable composers. Throughout Grandjany’s life he would also work with many other notable composers and was appointed head of the Harp Department at the Juilliard School in 1938. This piece was Grandjany’s 19th work. “Aria” is an Italian word meaning “air” or a tune; it is a long song accompanying a solo voice usually in an opera. In an opera, an “aria” would be used to express feelings and is more musical than other sections. “Classic Style” refers to a style reflecting the Classical period of music, between about 1730 and 1820. This type of music has a lighter and clearer homophonic texture with a clear melody line over a chordal accompaniment. |
Sonata in C Minor by Giovanni Battista Pescetti
The second piece is the first movement of Sonata in C Minor originally written for organ by Giovanni Battista Pescetti. Pescetti lived from 1704 to 1766 and worked in mostly Venice and London. This piece was transcribed for harp by Carlos Salzedo. The first movement can be heard as two sections, both with similar structures. The first part starts in C minor while the second section starts with E flat Major, which is the relative major for C minor. This piece can be classified as Baroque music, which is music written roughly from 1600 to 1750. During this period, “sonata” meant a piece to be “played” rather than “sung” (as most pieces of the time were meant to be with opera). |
Haley Park
My name is Haley Park, and I have been playing harp for about 7 years now. I am a Senior attending The King’s Academy; this will be my last SES. Throughout the past seven years, I’ve participated in most of the Student Evaluation Sessions that occur annually. During some sessions, my performance was out of this world, while other sessions it was almost as if I had never touched a harp before. However, my growth never remained stagnant, and I clearly saw growth that occurred each year whether it was a little or a lot. This growth is greatly attributed to Mrs. Yu. Her unlimited patience and abundant kindness was apparent through the weekly lessons that were sometimes my only practice session for the week, as well as through the delicious trader-joe’s snacks and food she provided for the harp ensemble every weekend. When my performances were abysmal, she would keep my chin up and help me move forward and improve. When I played well, she would share her happiness with me and continue to push me to become better than I was. I cannot express my appreciation enough for Mrs. Yu and everything she has done to help me become a better harpist and a stronger character. Thank you for being my teacher for the past 7 years Mrs. Yu.
Vers La Source Dans Le Bois by Marcel Tournier
French harpist and composer Marcel Tournier was born January 5,1879 and died May 8, 1951 in Paris, France. Most of Tournier’s compositions were impressionistic and a little romantic. Marcel Tournier entered the Paris Conservatory in 1879 when he was 16 years old, where he studied harp under Alphonse Hasselmans. Later in his life, he studied under the composition teacher, Charles-Marie Widor. Tournier eventually won second prize for his composition at the Prix de Rome as well as the Rossini Prize. He succeeded his teacher Alphonse Hasselmans at the Paris Conservatory where he continued to work with his wife until retirement. Vers La Source Dans Le Bois, also known as Towards the Fountain in the Woods, was published by Marcel Tournier in 1921. Vers La Source Dans Le Bois was one of the first pieces written specifically for harp. Tournier’s use of enharmonics (different notes that produce the same tone) in this piece makes it unique to harp, as harp is one the few instruments that can perform enharmonics in a smooth and repeated manner without having the sound of replacing. |
Sarabanda by Nina Rota
Giovanni Rota Rinaldi, also known as Nino Rota, was born on April 3, 1911 in Milan, Italy and died on April 10, 1979 in Rome, Italy. Nino Rota attended the Milan Conservatory where studied under Ildebrando Pizzetti and Alfredo Casella. Nino Rota composed over 80 film scores, most notably for the films of Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti. He eventually passed away due to heart failure at the age of 67. Sarabanda was published in 1945 and is the first part of Sarabanda e Toccata. This piece was written during the neoclassical period in 1945, three years before Nino Rota’s concerto for the harp. The title Sarabanda derives from saraband, which is defined as a slow, stately spanish dance in triple time. |
Kartika Santoso
My name is Kartika Santoso, I am a junior at Notre Dame High School, and I’ve been playing the harp for 8 years.
Rondo, Grande Sonate by Francois Joseph Dizi
Dizi (1780-1840) was a French harpist and composer in the Classical-Romantic period who also invented the unsuccessful perpendicular harp and was harp teacher to the French royal princesses. |
Sarabanda e Toccata by Nino Rota
Nino Rota (1911-1979) was an Italian film score composer who is best known for the soundtracks for The Godfather and The Godfather II. He was nominated for and won various awards for his film scores, including a Grammy, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He composed Sarabanda e Toccata in 1945. |
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Naomi Sun
Naomi Sun, 16, has been studying harp for 9 years under Linda Wood Rollo. Additionally, she began attending the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Precollege in 2020 where she learns from Douglas Rioth. She is currently a junior at Leigh High School and also the principal harpist of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Vers La Source Dans le Bois by Marcel Tournier
Vers la source dans le boi, in French, means “Towards the Fountain in the Woods”. Throughout the piece, the right hand plays a constant stream of notes to represent the water from the fountain. The left hand’s melody adds to the natural harmonies, creating the feeling of an enchanted world. |
Aria in Classic Style for the organ and harp by Marcel Grandjany
The Aria in Classic Style refers to a solo sung as a part of an opera, written in the style of the late eighteenth and earlier nineteenth century. Written for the organ and harp, the piece begins with a sustained melody being played on the harp. As the piece continues, Grandjany writes more and more layers during the repeating theme. |
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