Paul Hindemith: Sonata for harp I. Mässig schnell, II. Lebhaft, III. Lied. Sehr langsam Gabriella Dall'Olio, harp This recording is taken from Gabriella's CD "Harp Recital" Pictures seen in the video are works by Leonardo DaVinci. Hindemith wrote his Harp Sonata in Switzerland in 1939, while en route to the United States, for the Italian harpist Clelia Gatti-Aldrovandi. In its three short movements, Hindemith -- who had a natural understanding of nearly every musical instrument -- masterfully encapsulated the spirit of the harp: its contrapuntal and harmonic independence, and its heritage as one of the oldest musical instruments. The first movement, marked "Moderately fast," opens with an imperious chordal gesture that is both declamatory in its rhetoric and archaic in its modal harmony. The full range of the instrument is called upon in this resourcefully written sonata form movement, the character of which is noble and detached. The subsequent scherzo, marked "Lively," exploits the harp's capacity for quick filigree and lightness of texture. In the last movement, "Lied," Hindemith uses a nostalgic poem by the nineteenth century poet Hölty to create a literal "song" without words. The poem relates a dying harpist's last wish: that, after his death, his harp be placed behind the church altar as a memorial, where "at sunset" ("im Abendrot") it will sound, seemingly of its own accord -- much like the Aeolian harps of antiquity. In this finale, the noble archaism of the music takes on a sad and bittersweet quality that is all the more satisfying for its ingenuousness. Born in Bologna, Italy, Gabriella studied in Italy, France and Germany with Pierre Jamet and Fabrice Pierre, Jaqueline Borot, Giselle Herbert and Anna Loro. Now based in London, she continues to follow an international and high profile career performing and teaching the harp. Captivating audiences around the globe her critically acclaimed recordings span solo, chamber and orchestral works on the Claves, Koch, Stradivarius, Dal Segno and Ambitus labels, and she has also made many live recordings for French, German, Italian and Swiss Radio. Her wide and varied repertoire covers most solo, concertos, chamber music repertoire as well as orchestral works. Internationally active as a soloist and chamber musician, Gabriella has given recitals and concerts throughout Europe, USA, the Far and Middle East. She also freelances with some of the most outstanding UK and European orchestras. As well as her work as Head of Harp at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, and her recent appointment at Chethams School of Music in Manchester UK, Gabriella gives masterclasses and harp courses as well as orchestral courses in Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Singapore, Tasmania and Australia. She has also been a jury member in several competitions. Her wide experience of teaching all ages and all backgrounds reflects her commitment to music-making at the highest international level. Gabriella has performed important works of the solo contemporary repertoire as well as premiering and commissioning many others. Gabriella has earned considerable recognition and has been supported by the Swiss fund 'Junge Kunstler'. She is also the winner of numerous prizes, awards and scholarships, including the 1989 Victor Salvi Competition, Italy, and the Junge Kunstler prize, Switzerland. For more information please check: http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/students-staff/staff-biographies/gabriella-dall-olio All information and pictures are taken from the Internet.

• published: 07 Jul 2014
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