New: A Garland for the Harp by David Watkins

New score published by Adlais Music Publishers, printed and distributed by Creighton's Collection

A Garland for the Harp 
Six preludes for solo harp by David Watkins

I. The Rain Forest
II. Flights
III. Bells
IV. Games
V. Laments
VI. Dances

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Published retail price £8.00

This Suite of six short and contrasted preludes can be performed consecutively or separately. These pieces can also be used as useful studies of medium difficulty. The score contains separate versions for Pedal Harp and Lever Harp as well as suggestions for division to enable performance by a Harp Ensemble.

I. The Rain Forest
This prelude evokes the continuous watery mist sparkling gently under the green canopy of the Rain Forest. Written to encourage a young harpist, the filagree nature of the harp writing looks complex but is in fact very easy to play and memorise.

II. Flights
These simple fragments, when linked together, imitate the flights of birds.

III. Bells
A short essay in sonority which captures the sound of pealing bells with all their attendant overtones.

IV. Games
A playful study with contrasting rhythms.

V. Laments
An ancient mode used to conjure up timeless feelings of sadness.

VI. Dances
Fragments of rhythms lead into a middle section which develops into a 'rumba' with ongoing rhythmic contrasts.

Total playing time 7 minutes approx.

Sonata in G minor PJ Meyer

The David Watkins Collection VOLUME XV
Philip Jacob Meyer (1737-1819)
SONATA in G minor for Solo Harp (with pedals)
Arranged by David Watkins

A fine harpist, composer and harp maker whose first studies were with Christian Hochbrucker and then came to Paris where his virtuoso playing was acclaimed at the famous 'Concert Spirituel'. In 1763, he published one of the first Methods for the pedal harp entitled 'An Essay on the correct manner of playing the harp'; the English version was published in 1774.

His son Fréderic-Charles (also a harpist) credits his father with introducing the pedal harp to London in 1772 at a concert in the Hanover Square Rooms. His compositions are always elegant and in the 'Style Galant'. Nicanor Zabaleta was the first harpist to bring this Sonata to the public. This edition is closer to eighteenth century sources.

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