Spohr: 3 Sonatas for Harp and Violin

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Given the two instruments involved, the overall mood here is largely one of serenity. There is, though, plenty of sparkle, joyfully explored by the excellent Nagasawa and Bernardini. — BBC Music Magazine, October 2018, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 29th Jun 2018
Catalogue No: BIS2302
Label: BIS
Length: 74 minutes

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Spohr: Sonata concertante in E flat major, Op. 113

Work length22:23

$4.00

$7.75

$10.50

Cecilia Bernardini (violin), Masumi Nagasawa (harp)
Recorded: October 2016
Recording Venue: Protestantse Kerk 't Woudt, Schipluiden, Netherlands

I. Allegro brillante

Track length10:50

$1.50

$3.85

$5.25

II. Adagio

Track length4:07

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Rondo allegretto

Track length7:26

$1.50

$2.60

$3.50

Spohr: Sonata concertante in G major, Op. 115

Work length28:58

$4.55

$9.00

$12.25

Cecilia Bernardini (violin), Masumi Nagasawa (harp)
Recorded: October 2016
Recording Venue: Protestantse Kerk 't Woudt, Schipluiden, Netherlands

I. Allegro

Track length13:12

$2.05

$3.85

$5.25

II Larghetto

Track length4:59

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Rondo

Track length10:47

$1.50

$3.85

$5.25

Spohr: Sonata concertante in D major, Op. 114

Work length23:21

$4.10

$7.70

$10.50

Cecilia Bernardini (violin), Masumi Nagasawa (harp)
Recorded: October 2016
Recording Venue: Protestantse Kerk 't Woudt, Schipluiden, Netherlands

I. Allegro - Vivace

Track length12:13

$2.05

$3.85

$5.25

II. Andante. Potpourri on Themes from The Magic Flute

Track length11:08

$2.05

$3.85

$5.25

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About

In 1805, on the basis of his brilliant yet expressive playing, the 21-year-old Louis Spohr was appointed Konzertmeister at the ducal court in Gotha. By this time he had also begun to make his mark as a composer, and during his years at the court he would add several pieces for the harp to his list of works, inspired by the young harpist Dorette Scheidler. Spohr later recalled his reaction to her playing: ‘I was so deeply moved that I could scarce restrain my tears... I took my leave – but my heart remained behind!’ Only months later, the two were in fact married and Spohr began to compose works which would form the repertoire during future concert tours.

Dorette Spohr played a so-called single-action pedal harp of a similar type to the instrument used on this disc. Soon to be replaced by the double-action pedal system, the single-action pedal harp was best suited for playing in flat keys. As Spohr preferred writing his violin parts in sharp keys, which allowed the resonance of the open strings, he adopted the method of tuning the harp a semitone lower, which had the added benefit of reducing the tension on the strings. The Sonatas Opp 113-115, in D and G major, therefore have harp parts notated in E flat and A flat major respectively. Because of its delicate construction and stringing, the single-action harp has a distinct silvery bell-like sound and these sonatas are among the last important works specifically written for it. They are also the most demanding, but it is clear that Spohr intended them to display not only the technical skill of the two artists but also their musical expressiveness. The performers here are Masumi Nagasawa and Cecilia Bernardini, who have made a particular study of Spohr's writings on performance practice.

Reviews

October 2018

Given the two instruments involved, the overall mood here is largely one of serenity. There is, though, plenty of sparkle, joyfully explored by the excellent Nagasawa and Bernardini.

September 2018

Cecilia Bernardini and Masumi Nagasawa play with such heightened sensitivity… they show exquisitely subtle vibrato shadings and even the occasional mechanical noises- off from Nagasawa’s period single action harp. These delightful scores played like this sound utterly cherishable.

Spohr: 3 Sonatas for Harp and Violin

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