Dive into the enchanting world of classical harp music with Xavier De Maistre's latest album, "Glière, Mosolov: Harp Concertos." This captivating collection, released on Sony Classical, features the renowned harpist alongside the WDR Sinfonieorchester, conducted by the esteemed Nathalie Stutzmann. The album showcases two masterful harp concertos by Reinhold Glière and Alexander Mosolov, offering a rich tapestry of romantic and avant-garde compositions.
The centerpiece of the album is Glière's Harp Concerto in E-Flat Major, Op. 74, a three-movement work that highlights De Maistre's virtuosic technique and expressive depth. The concerto's Allegro moderato opens with a lively and engaging melody, followed by a Tema con variazioni that showcases the harp's versatility and the composer's ingenuity. The Allegro giocoso concludes the concerto with a playful and energetic finale.
Complementing Glière's concerto is Mosolov's Harp Concerto, a work that pushes the boundaries of traditional harp music with its innovative and experimental approach. The concerto's four movements, including a Sostenuto, Nocturne, Gavotte, and Toccata, offer a diverse range of styles and moods, from the serene and introspective to the dynamic and exhilarating.
In addition to the concertos, the album features two enchanting transcriptions of Russian ballet music: the Prélude et la Romanesca from Glazunov's Raymonda and the iconic Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, arranged for harp and orchestra by Xavier De Maistre himself.
With a total duration of just over an hour, this album is a treasure trove of classical harp music, expertly performed by one of the genre's most celebrated artists. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of harp concertos, this album is sure to delight and inspire.
Vinylscout