Since making Scintillation, her first highly praised recording on the Telarc label, harpist Yolanda Kondonassis has brought her distinctive musical artistry and a pioneering sense of invention to a series of unusual and appealing concept recordings. These discs have included many of her own innovative and idiomatic arrangements and transcriptions for harp of important works by a variety of composers. Most recently, she assayed the daunting technical demands of transcribing VivaldiÂ’s solo violin parts from The Four Seasons for harp.
Now she brings her unique talents to the music of contemporary American composer Alan Hovhaness (b. 1911), whose provocative works reflect the influences of early European polyphony as well as those of Oriental music and mysticism. Included on the disc is the world premiere recording of "Spirit of Trees," written in 1983, for harp and guitar. HovhanessÂ’s use of natural elements as thematic inspiration provided Kondonassis with what she believed to be a special opportunity--that of helping to spread awareness of the need to protect our environment and our endangered natural rainforests. She has included a personal note in the CD booklet, in which she states We, as a society, spend much of our time and resources on our literal and abstract legacies family, culture, humanity, politics. All of these riches are valuable, she says. But the question we must ask ourselves is: Where will those legacies exist if we use up our planet? A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every disc will benefit the worldwide effort to preserve the rainforests.
Hailed by the New York Times for her powerful playing and musicianly energy, Kondonassis holds a long list of national and international honors. The first harpist to win the Darius Milhaud Prize, she is committed to the advancement of contemporary music, and has premiered several works composed expressly for her.
Pure DSD!
Musicians:
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
David Leisner, guitar
I Fiamminghi
Rudolf Werthen, conductor
Frank Hendricks, flute
Herwig Coryn, cello
Patrick De Smet, tam-tam
Eugenia Zukerman, flute
Selections:
Alan Hovhaness (b.1911)
"Spirit of Trees," Sonata for Harp and Guitar, Op.374
(World Premiere Recording)
1. I. Andante cantabile - Maestoso rubato - Tempo I
2. II. Canon: Allegro
3. III. Andante maestoso - Fuga: Allegro - Andante grazioso
4. IV. Moderato - Allegro conspirito
5. Andante appassionato
Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra, Op. 267
6. I. Largo, maestoso e grave
7. II. Andante espressivo
8. III. Allegretto
9. IV. Dawn in Paradise: Adagio rubato
10. V. Adagio
11. "Upon Enchanted Ground" for Flute, Cello, Giant Tam-Tam and Harp, Op. 90, No. 1
Sonata for Harp, Op. 127
12. I. Allegro
13. II. Lento misterioso
14. III. Allegro
"The Garden of Adonis," Suite for Flute and Harp, Op. 245
15. I. Largo
16. II. Allegro
17. III. Adagio (like a solemn dance)
18. IV. Allegro
19. V. Grave
20. VI. Allegretto
21. VII. Andante molto espressivo
Total Time: 73:01
Now she brings her unique talents to the music of contemporary American composer Alan Hovhaness (b. 1911), whose provocative works reflect the influences of early European polyphony as well as those of Oriental music and mysticism. Included on the disc is the world premiere recording of "Spirit of Trees," written in 1983, for harp and guitar. HovhanessÂ’s use of natural elements as thematic inspiration provided Kondonassis with what she believed to be a special opportunity--that of helping to spread awareness of the need to protect our environment and our endangered natural rainforests. She has included a personal note in the CD booklet, in which she states We, as a society, spend much of our time and resources on our literal and abstract legacies family, culture, humanity, politics. All of these riches are valuable, she says. But the question we must ask ourselves is: Where will those legacies exist if we use up our planet? A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every disc will benefit the worldwide effort to preserve the rainforests.
Hailed by the New York Times for her powerful playing and musicianly energy, Kondonassis holds a long list of national and international honors. The first harpist to win the Darius Milhaud Prize, she is committed to the advancement of contemporary music, and has premiered several works composed expressly for her.
Pure DSD!
Musicians:
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
David Leisner, guitar
I Fiamminghi
Rudolf Werthen, conductor
Frank Hendricks, flute
Herwig Coryn, cello
Patrick De Smet, tam-tam
Eugenia Zukerman, flute
Selections:
Alan Hovhaness (b.1911)
"Spirit of Trees," Sonata for Harp and Guitar, Op.374
(World Premiere Recording)
1. I. Andante cantabile - Maestoso rubato - Tempo I
2. II. Canon: Allegro
3. III. Andante maestoso - Fuga: Allegro - Andante grazioso
4. IV. Moderato - Allegro conspirito
5. Andante appassionato
Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra, Op. 267
6. I. Largo, maestoso e grave
7. II. Andante espressivo
8. III. Allegretto
9. IV. Dawn in Paradise: Adagio rubato
10. V. Adagio
11. "Upon Enchanted Ground" for Flute, Cello, Giant Tam-Tam and Harp, Op. 90, No. 1
Sonata for Harp, Op. 127
12. I. Allegro
13. II. Lento misterioso
14. III. Allegro
"The Garden of Adonis," Suite for Flute and Harp, Op. 245
15. I. Largo
16. II. Allegro
17. III. Adagio (like a solemn dance)
18. IV. Allegro
19. V. Grave
20. VI. Allegretto
21. VII. Andante molto espressivo
Total Time: 73:01
