Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). Went to see a harp recital last night - Live Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Went to see a harp recital last night

relic245relic245 Frets: 822
in Live
Wow!

Lady named Sioned Williams. She was principal harpist for the London Philharmonic for many years. She played with Pavaroti, Andre Previn, did private performances for the Queen and (the then) Prince Charles amonst others. 

I only went as it was a Christmas social that I wanted to go to, but was completely blown away. The sound was just magical, and I had no appreciation for the skill involved. As well as plucking, there are 6 foot pedals with over 2000 combinations. 

It also made me rethink how easy we guitarists have it in terms of gear. Imagine carrying that thing around!

Then there is the cost. We complain about the cost of custom shop instruments, her harp cost £63000.  She talked about the strings as different sets. To replace the bass set costs about £800 and when you're playing for a living last a year at best. 

If you ever get the chance to go see somone who can really play these things, I'd recommend it as a fantastic experience. 
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Comments

  • Winny_PoohWinny_Pooh Frets: 7202
    Sounds great
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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 15603
    I’ve not seen a top harpist but I’ve seen them at a few things and I quite like that woman who puts her harp through pedals on YouTube (Emily something?). They sound lovely. 
    I’ll handle this Violet, you take your three hour break. 
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  • thecolourboxthecolourbox Frets: 9128
    We had a harpist from Birmingham Conservatoire play at our wedding ceremony as I too love the sound. We had the aria from Goldberg Variations for entrance, Harry Potter Hedwig Theme for rings (We had an owl deliver the rings), then Purcell's Hornpipe to leave. All sounded beautiful on harp, as did the stuff of her own choice for prelude and registers sections. It was outside as well and the harp carries so beautifully in the outdoors, which you might not expect.

    It's certainly something that requires a complex combination of co-ordination, soft touch, and flowing artistic expression. Magical things
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  • maltingsaudiomaltingsaudio Frets: 2910
    edited December 2022
    For a more folky take on the harp check these guys out https://www.calan-band.com/  Well worth the ticket price
    https://youtu.be/OlRUF2wMRSk
    www.maltingsaudio.co.uk
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  • relic245relic245 Frets: 822
    maltingsaudio said:
    For a more folky take on the harp check these guys out https://www.calan-band.com/  Well worth the ticket price
    https://youtu.be/OlRUF2wMRSk
    It’s really interesting, she is clearly a very good player but it didn’t do a lot for me.

    I suspect it would be a different story if I was in the room. I think that is where the magic happens.

    perhaps it’s like really high end amps amd pedals, they can make the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you’re in the room but looses some of its magic on YouTube.
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