Harp Masters News Summer 2010 - `HarpMasters Young Celebrity Artist` project has got the Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Georg Yourievsky
- Launch of the new project `HarpMasters on the Road`. First workshop `The Russian Harp Repertoire` with Irina Zingg in Hongkong, January 2010
- HarpMasters Edition new publication: Xenia Erdeli `Elegy in Memory of Glinka`
- Skaila Kanga is awarded the high title `Professor Emerita`. She also published her new book of three concert pieces `Towards the Light` (Maruka Music)
- Rahel Schweizer was the winner of the Special Prize, sponsored by HarpMasters, at the Swiss Young Musicians Contest
HarpMasters participants: - Julia Schuler was the winner of the First Prize at the Austrian National Competition `Prima La Musica` - Laura Peh was the Third Prize winner at the 1st Thailand Youth Harp Competition. She performs C.Debussy Danses with the Anglo-Chinese School Philharmonic Orchestra in August 2010 in Singapore - Melissa Stockstill has won the audition for the second harp position in the Orlando Philharmonia Orchestra
- Aiste Baliunite was the First Prize winner (division: Diplome de Fin d'Etudes) at the Concours Francais de la Harpe (Limoges, France)
- Esther Severac is excepted for the Bachelor program at the Basel High School of Music - Carolina Coimbra is excepted for the Bachelor program at the Zurich High School of Music - Chiara Pedrazzetti has released her debut CD Album in May 2010. Chiara was the 1st Prize winner at the 1st Camac Trophy for Celtic Harp
June 15, 2010 HarpMasters announce the Young Celebrity Artist 2010 - Maria Mikhailovskaya (Russia).
May 28, 2010
Dear harpist friends,
"I
would like to welcome you this year once again to this special time of
sharing and emotion. Let us find together the path of music and also of
life. In experiencing those special moments of joy and discovery
together, I would like to say: " It is not me who teaches, but you who
will learn!"
Marielle Nordmann
May 5, 2010
OUT NOW!
NEW BOOK by SKAILA KANGA
TOWARDS THE LIGHT
Three Concert Pieces for Solo Harp
Published by Maruka Music, 2010
ORDER YOUR COPY! Available at all major harp retailers
--------------------------------------------
Towards the Light, Perpetual Dream, Distant Horizons
"This collection of pieces is written with ‘artistic freedom’ as its focal point. Each piece can be played on its own, or coupled with one other, or as an entire suite in whatever order chosen by the performer. In this way, the player moulds the music to his or her own mood or musical journey – to end strongly or quietly, defiantly or serenely....
‘Towards the Light’ is an episodic work beginning with the dark, deep awakenings of Planet Earth followed by the onset of both calm and torrid waters over the land masses. Storms and tranquillity vie for supremacy leading to a tantalising dance -like movement with a driving, persistent 3/4 - 6/8 rhythm, finishing with a fiery volcanic dramatic ending. Contemporary jazz influences play their part in conjunction with modern day harp effects such as tuning key and nail glissandi, percussive nail flicks as well as pedal slides, ‘inverted-scale’ glissandi and chromatic pedal motifs.
‘Perpetual Dream’ is based on a hypnotic ostinato sextuplet figure, which murmurs throughout the work as a backdrop to the widely-ranging expression of the left hand in elusive melodic fragments with the juxtaposition of harmonic and chromatic tensions and the use of harp harmonics to enhance the atmospheric imagery. The whole piece is based on a jazz scale of Db minor with #11ths and #13ths relentlessly providing the underlying restlessness of the work, which finally disappears into space and timelessness.
‘Distant Horizons’ ventures more into a freer contemporary idiom with even greater use of all manner of harp effects, such as pedal slides, percussive soundboard rhythms, gong effect of hitting the lowest wire strings, and ‘brushing fingertips’ glissandi. The constantly changing meters give a timeless feeling of constant searching with some dramatic interruptions. The piece ends serenely with a pure harmonic resolution signalling the hope of enduring peace.
These pieces are dedicated to my many wonderful students over the years".
Skaila Kanga, London, 2010.
April 22, 2010
Three students of Milda Agazarian were the prize winners during the "Second Wales International Harp Festival": Sophia Kalandadze - Junior Competition, Second Prize; Valeria Voschenikova - Youth Competition, First Prize; Elizaveta Kozina - Chief Musician Competition, First Prize. Congratulations!
April 15, 2010
Dear harpist friends
This summer for the 5th trime we will enjoy another special opportunity to meet, work together, share our experiences and to inspire each other.
The length and breadth of the experience of my colleagues and our sincere intention to share it with you, as well as the passionate desire of you young harpists to enrich your knowledge and develop your skills, helps to create this unique atmosphere at each successive year of “HarpMasters”.
I look forward to meeting my dear colleagues and young talented harpists, who come every year from all parts of the world to share their passion and love of music and the harp.
Sincerely yours,
Milda Agazarian
March 30, 2010
Dear harpist friends and colleagues,
It is my privilege to be invited as Celebrity Guest during the 5th ”HarpMasters” Academy in Switzerland in July 2010.
This will be a great opportunity for me to play in front of an inspiring audience, to listen to old friends harpists and meet new harp talents and „Espoires”.
Come to this wonderful experience and share with us the joy of music, the friendship and the high professional mastership of my colleagues!
See you soon,
Ion Ivan-Roncea
March 10, 2010
Dear harpist friends
After last year's outstanding course I am sure you will warmly welcome back Marielle Nordmann as our Resident Guest Masterclass Tutor. To inspire you further we have Ion Ivan-Roncea and Elinor Bennett as visiting artists. I am looking forward to hearing their fresh ideas and experiences.
I hope to see many of you return from last year as well as new students from all over the world. I know we will have a great time and yet again make lasting new friends.
Best wishes to you all,
Skaila Kanga
February 12, 2010
HARP MASTERS 2009
by Laura Peh
Laura is the participant at HarpMasters 2009 and the winner of the 3rd Prize at the 2009 International Harp Youth Competition in Thailand.
Harp Masters 2009 was an experience like no other. It was my first time participating in this course and I did not know what to expect. Harpists, both students and professionals of all ages, regulars and newcomers, practically came from around the globe – Lithuania, France, Japan, Russia, Venezuela, Italy and England, just to name a few. The fast-paced week was filled with masterclasses, private lessons, concerts, workshops, individual practice and ensemble rehearsals. But who could forget the opening highlight? – A jazz workshop by Park Stickney.
The workshop took no delay in beginning. Park first introduced us to the principles of jazz and immediately taught us the fundamentals – chords, bass line and improvisation, amongst others. We were then split up into groups and began working on a couple of jazz favourites. The workshop ended by all harpists coming together to play So What by Miles Davis.
The week ahead was intense, and yet, fun-filled. There were daily masterclasses, private lessons and all of us had individual practice times. The schedule was so packed, in a good way, that we had almost no distractions and could solely concentrate on playing the harp and learning. The atmosphere and ambience of the participants, professors and the Herzberg convention centre, where the course was held, was extremely friendly and supportive.
Isabelle Perrin’s masterclass on almost all French pieces opened our minds to different ideas and concepts on how they could be interpreted as well as the story behind a piece by Bernard Andrès, a French composer which Isabelle specialises in. Her recital, comprising of works from the standard repertoire, gave us a refreshed and familiar feel, and also gave us a chance to witness her flawless technique.
Marielle Nordmann’s recital, several days later, in contrast, consisted of various works transcribed for harp. Her extraordinary musicality captivated all and everyone left the hall in awe. We also could not have missed Ursula Holliger, who specially came down from Basel, to give masterclasses on Marcel Grandjany’s Fantasie sur un thème de Haydn as well as contemporary music.
The course finally came to an end with a final recital in a lovely church in Aarau. The concert opened with a piece for harp ensemble, containing different styles of music, by British composer David Snell, followed by solo works by the participants. The last gem was put into place by Ukrainian harpist, Veronika Lemishenko, who herself, several days before the start of the course, gave a solo recital in Aarau.
Much appreciation and many thanks must go to the two professors-in-residence – Milda Agazarian and Skaila Kanga, jazz workshop professor – Park Stickney, guest artists – Isabelle Perrin, MarielleNordmann and Ursula Holliger, artistic director – Irina Zingg, all parents and supporters, and of course, the participants. After an intense week, I went home tired but satisfied. I had learnt so much during the well-organised course, made many new friends and become inspired. It was undoubtedly a week that I will never forget and am looking forward to the next one.
December 4, 2009
HARP MASTERS 09
by Esther Severac
Esther has won the Special Prize, given by HarpMasters, at the Swiss Competition of Young Musicians in 2008. She was back to HM this year. Here she shares with you her impressions.
A week like "HarpMasters"
is enriching in lots of different aspects : not only because we have
wonderful teachers and amazing guest stars, who inspire us in very
different ways. But such a harp week is also precious because we all
understand that we are not alone. Actually, there are also others who
have the same passion, the same problems with pedals, arms, fingers,
articulation, thumb, whatever !... and we can learn so much from the
others, especially because we have different origins and different
backgrounds. This week I spoke a lot of english, but I even tried to
speak a bit of italian, and I am very proud of a japanese word I
learnt !
I had the opportunity this
week to work with Ursula Holliger on the "Sequenzen", a
piece written by Heinz Holliger especially for her ; I was so lucky
about that, because she knows the piece more than anyone else, and I
felt really impressed to work with a woman who has great experience
and who knows many composers personally.
Both concerts of Isabelle
Perrin and Marielle Nordmann were fabulous : we also got the chance
to talk to them and asking them questions in a very relaxed
atmosphere, eating cake and drinking tea... these moments are unique
! Park Stickney impressed us all during his jazz workshop ; he even
performed a piece at the end of the day, and it was a very intense
moment.
I enjoyed the Final Gala
concert thoroughly, and I think it is also because I spent a
wonderful week ; I was so proud of all the new things I had learnt
during masterclass and private lessons. Our two professors, Milda
Agazarian and Skaila Kanga, have very different ways of teaching and
different points of view ; having lessons with both of them is the
best way to make our own opinions, to find our own way to play and to
express ourselves.
I hope I will come back
and meet new friends and talented harpists. A big thank you to Irina
: without her, nothing could be possible.
Best wishes to all, Esther
November 14, 2009
HARP MASTERS 09 by
HM Young Celebrity Artist 09
VERONIKA LEMISHENKO
(Ukraine)
It
was my first time on HarpMasters and I was so happy to be there with
all the students, professors and organizers. Thank you all for your
great and suchfriendly
company. It was very interesting for me and I met such a nice people
and learned a lot too!
Jazz classes with Park Stickney,
masterclasses witn Skaila Kanga and Milda Agazarian were
thrilling,full of knowledge and a very useful experience
for me.
In addition to all that, there were brilliant and
inspiring concerts from Isabelle Perrin and Marielle Nordmann!!
I think for all of us it has meant so much. We listened to pieces
which we all knew and pieces which we had never heard of! It was
truly unbelievable!!
Hope to see
you all again.
November 1, 2009
Participant report by Mary Reid
Mary is the 4th time participant at HM. she has won a scholarship for the Bmus course at the Royal Academy of Music in London. -----------------------------------------------------------------
HarpMasters 2009 proved, once again, to
be both an extreme experience of musical learning and a revelation of
music’s joys for all involved.
The jazz day kicked off the week, with
Park Stickney impressing us all with his pedal slides and fast
sevenths. After an intense ‘how-to’ in jazz basics, we were all
jamming away to Miles Davis’ “So What” to rapturous applause
from listening parents and the local radio and television stations!
Lessons, practice and master-classes
commenced the next day with the dedicated professors Milda Agazarian
and Skaila Kanga. And on the very first night, Isabelle Perrin
treated us to a blow-away recital. Her backstage talk afterward
reflected her generous musical outlook, giving us all suggestions on
how to be great musicians and not just settle for being good
harpists. This theme continued in her master-class the following day,
where we were given a wake-up call about the details and precision of
music. Over the following few days, we immediately started putting
these ideas, along with those inspired by Milda and Skaila, into our
daily practice.
On Sunday, after an extra class by
Ursula Holliger on Haydn’s “Fantaisie” and contemporary music,
came the second recital, given by Marielle Nordmann. Her journey
through Spanish music was a tribute to her life-long dedication to
her art. In her music and later at her backstage talk, emotions came
pouring out and there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen by the end of the
evening.
With just three days to go to the final
concert, the professors and every participant doubled their efforts
in lessons, practice and master-classes. The local woodwind festival
definitely seemed to notice as they came and danced along to our
ensemble rehearsal of “Latin” by David Snell, complete with
maracas and dancing harpists!
The group of students (the largest ever
on record for Harpmasters) was also one of the most dedicated, and
over the course of the week all rose above and beyond what even they
thought they were capable of to produce an unforgettable Final Gala
Concert. Despite the heat and a few harp mishaps, the Concert was
professional and a wonderful celebration of the energy and enthusiasm
of Milda, Skaila and Irina, as well as all the students.
At HarpMasters, I always am pushed to
achieve my best, and with the supportive atmosphere and being
surrounded by so many harpists of such a high level, I feel inspired
to rise to this challenge. Even though we were only together for one
week, there was a real bond between all the participants, and what we
learned and experienced will surely affect our music for the rest of
our lives.
September 21, 2009
4th International Harp Academy "HarpMasters"
Press
Release
Bern, 21st September, 2009
– The 4th
International Harp Academy HarpMasters took place between 11-21
August 2009 in Herzberg/Aarau, Switzerland.
The
most
number of participants yet (19), travelled from England, Japan, USA,
Austria, Lithuania, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, and for
the first time from Venezuela and Singapore. Some of the
participants returned for the 4th
time to the Academy.
"We
were happy to welcome back our Professors-in-ResidenceSkaila
Kanga,
Professor and Head of Harp Studies at the Royal Academy of Music
(London) and Milda
Agazarian,
Professor of Harp at the Russian Academy of Music (Moscow)“, says
Irina
Zingg,
Director and Founder of the IHA HarpMasters. Star Jazz Harpist Park
Stickney, took our popular Jazz
Department and
shared his outstanding knowledge and experience with young
colleagues.
Since
2006 the HarpMasters' Celebrity Artists Series has brought worldclass
harp stars to Switzerland - Catrin Finch, Emmanuel Ceysson, Maria
Krushevskaya, Gwyneth Wentink, Catherine Michel, Dan Yu. This year
we welcomed Isabelle
Perrin,
who gave a recital and masterclass sponsored by Camac
Harps (www.camac-harps.com)
and Marielle
Nordmann,
who gave the outstanding recital.
Salvi
Harps
(www.salviharps.com)
was the sponsor of Harps and Accessories, providing 9 Concert Harps
for the daily classes and private practice.
To
broaden up the musical horizons of our young musicians, HarpMasters
09 opened its Contemporary
Music Department.Ursula
Holliger
conducted the first workshop on contemporary pieces by Carter,
Hosokawa and Heinz Holliger.
A
spontaneous lecture on Russian
Technique Essentials was given by Milda Agazarian and Veronika
Lemishenko. This was received with great interest and enthusiasm
and this will now be a regular topic at each HarpMasters - Harp
Technique Essentials.
4th HarpMasters also started a new series - Young
Celebrity Artist
– this year introducing Veronica Lemishenko, the winner of the 3rd
Prize of the 6th
International Harp Competition - Arpista Ludovico. The Young
Celebrity Artist is feartured in a solo recital as well receiving a
scholarship for full participation on the HM course.
In
addition, HarpMasters 09 sponsored a Special Prize in the Harp
Category
of the SJMW – Swiss
Competition of the Young Musicians“.
9 year old Tjasha Gafner from Lausanne has won the prize and took
part as an auditor on the HM course.
The
Swiss
First Performance
of a new work was given during the final gala concert of David
Snell‘s Prelude, Rock Blues and Latin for 6 concert harps and
percussion section of 12 young harpists.
HarpMasters
09 was covered by our
media: DRS1 reported on a regional as well a national level. The TV
station of Aarau TeleM1 covered the jazz day, broadcasting it the
following day on every hour.
Achievements
of the 2008-09 Season:
Mary
Reid
– 4th time participant, has won a scholarship for the BMus Course
at the Royal Academy of Music in London
Akiko
Iwaki –
2nd time participant, has won a scholarship for the MA Course at the
Royal Academy of Music in London
Jimin
Lee –
2nd time participant has won the 3rd Prize in the 'Cite
des Arts' Competition
in Paris
Emmanuel
Ceysson –
Celebrity Artist 2006 – is the 1st
Prize Winner of the ARD Contest in Munich
The
mission of the International Harp Academy "HarpMasters" is:
- to
be an innovative Harp Summer Academy, which invests in the young
talanted harpists from all over the world and supports their talent
-to
make possible the exchange between them and great harp masters of
today
- to
support high artistic and technical level of harp performance
- to
bring the harp to a
broader audience
The 5th
International Harp Academy "HarpMasters" will take place in July 2010
in Switzerland.
We completed our 4th HarpMasters
course with a great bunch of 18 students from literally all over
the globe! They travelled from America, Japan, Singapore, Russia,
Lithuania, England, Scotland, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Venezuela
and of course Switzerland to be with us on another intense
search for better music- making, sound, technique, styles and a
whole load of friendship as well as a awe-inspiring guest artists who
played and talked with us about almost everything!
As usual our Park Stickney gave a
jazz class which was filmed by the national TV news station and
broadcast every hour for the next day! Isabelle Perrin gave a
varied and interesting recital and masterclass; Ursula Holliger a
class on Grandjany's Fantasie and talked about her lessons with
him and her life's work, my dear friend and colleague Milda Agazarian
instructed us all on how to build a 'stock' of strong technique and
sound Russian style, but surely the highlight of this year
was undoubtedly the visit of one of the greatest artists on our
instrument Marielle Nordmann. Through her mesmerising recital and
later by her warmth and encouragement we all found our true
purpose and goals in our own hearts. We will all remember this
moment.
I personally was inspired by the
determination to improve and the friendship of our students, who gave
a really memorable and uplifting musical performance on the last
night. I look forward to seeing them again in the future on
their musical journey.
I send my love and best wishes to you
all,
Professor
Skaila Kanga Royal Academy of Music London, U.K.
July 8, 2009
Dear
Harpist Friends,
I’m looking forward to another jazz harp
course at HarpMasters. We’ll be exploring basic jazz theory
(especially with regards to the harp), in a friendly, but
incredibly useful way, and will learn a few standards. If this
is your first time, no need to panic, we’ll take it from the
beginning. And if you’re already playing jazz (or have
already taken courses with me), we’ll revisit the basic principles,
explore the ideas I’ve been playing with this year, and try out
some new tunes.
Also, as in past years, there’s the
possibility to take private lessons on the 11th of August, the day
before the workshop.
Looking forward to see you!
Best regards,
Park Stickney
June 11, 2009
Greetings from Isabelle Perrin
“It
is my greatest pleasure to take part in this worldwide renowned Harp
Masters, run now for a few years by the greatest harpists and
teachers. And I am really looking forward to having a wonderful time
there with you all!”
Isabelle Perrin
March 28, 2009
Dear
Harp Masters,
dear Friends
A
warm welcome to the 4th edition of "HarpMasters". We all look forward
to the truth celebration of harp talent and
mastership, exchange of ideas and inspiration.
Thanks
to
your generous comments, we are able to develop and adjust the
program to your most desirable needs. Coming summer, we are honoured
to welcome remarkable harpists to our Celebrity Guests program:
Isabelle Perrin, Ursula Holliger and Marielle Nordmann. As previsious
years, we thank you our loyal and generous sponsor of harps and harp
accessories Salvi Harps and welcome our new supporter – sponsor of
Guest Artists Program - Camac Harps.
Our
jazz workshop has proved its popularity once again last year. Coming
summer Park Stickney will work with you to master up your skills, as
well as will welcome jazz beginners. As always, Skaila Kanga and
Milda Agazarain will be there to share their extrodionary skills,
mastership, knowledge and `tipps & tricks` with you all. Bring
your family and friends alone to attend our popular Final Gala and
Celebrity concerts, where we all celebrate the harp and harp
talent. We all looking forward to welcome you coming summer!
Sincerely,
Irina
Zingg Academy
Director
March 12, 2009
Dear students and friends
of Harp Masters
Well the new year is fast speeding by
and it is time to consider our summer harp activities once again.
This year we have the pleasure of welcoming very special guests Marielle Nordmann, Ursula Holliger and Isabelle Perrin as well as our
one and only King of Jazz Harp Park Stickney.
I do hope you
will join us for a stimulating and performance- enhancing experience
as well as making new friends and rejoining old ones. I look forward
to seeing you all in August at Herzberg.
JiMin Lee, HM participant 2006 and 2007, has won the 3rd Prize in the 'Cite des Arts' Competition in Paris (November 2008). Mary Reid (HM particpant 2006-08) has won the scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music for the BMus course. Congratulations!!
It’s hard to know where to start in my praise of HarpMasters 2008! The course was so thorough that it can felt as if I’d had a lifetime’s worth of experience, all squeezed into one very intense week.
At the jazz workshop, the day before the official course started, Park Stickney once again impressed us with his quick wit and even quicker pedal changes. Fast sevenths, open and closed chords, tri-tone substitution and improvisation first thing in the morning was a fast-paced learning experience, but luckily the private sessions in the afternoon gave everyone the chance to voice their personal queries and get to grips with jazz technique. We ended the day by playing ‘Giant Steps’ (a Coltrane classic) all together before heading off for the welcome barbeque… This was a lovely relaxing way to begin the week and meet all the participants and professors, especially as Dan Yu had also arrived and we could get to know her as a person before meeting her as a recital artist.
In the days that followed, I was taken on a musical journey like no other. Every morning was devoted solely to private practice or private lessons and after lunch we had master-classes and ensemble practice until dinner. Having no distractions from this daily harp workout was the perfect setting to strive for a higher level of musicality, and the supportive atmosphere of all the other students working for the same goal definitely helped me to raise my performance standard, even in the space of one short week. Skaila Kanga and Milda Agazarian set the perfect example for all the students; they put so much energy and thought into every second of their sessions with us and were so patient while at the same time pushing us to play our very best.
Dan Yu’s concert and backstage talk was very inspirational and it was helpful to ask her questions about what life as a professional solo artist is really like as she was very generous with her time and honesty. Catherine Michel’s master-class taught me so much about the French harp school of Tournier and Hasslemans and I can hardly wait to try out her suggestions on my own French repertoire.
Performing in three public recitals in one week was a whirlwind experience for me; I am still at school and don’t get much opportunity to perform solos. I discovered by the end of the week that I just couldn’t wait to be back on stage and the final recital (where all the participants played) was the most special moment of all as we were sharing our music with each other as well as with the adoring public of Aarau!
All week Irina was transporting harps, stools, stands and making sure everyone was all right. She set the tone of the course, as being seriously devoted to the highest standards of music making while an encouraging and accommodating place in which to study. I made so many new friends from the USA, Japan, Spain, the UK, and of course Switzerland, which just goes to show that music truly can transcend human barriers of language and culture. HarpMasters 2008 was, without question, a success for all involved and an inspiration to every harpist there.
As the 3rd `HarpMasters` Summer Academy draws to a close, we have once again achieved even higher levels of musical exploration and performance this year. What an international group of young harpists we had - they came from Japan, China, USA, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, Wales, Scotland and England to further their boundaries. Dan Yu and Catherine Michel were our inspiring guest artists and Park Stickney attracted a large group for his jazz workshop day. There were three concert opportunities during the course and our students took up the challenge with high professionalism. I personally really enjoyed working with new and former students and revelled in their imporvement from year to year and especially during the week. I look forward to meeting this generation of dedicated young musicians next year. Please spread the word about our wonderful experience to your friends.
Greetings, love and best wishes to you all.
Professor Skaila Kanga Royal Academy of Music London, U.K.
The HarpMasters is proud to announce the luanch of HarpMasters Edition. The first publication, THE LARK by Glinka-Balakirev, edited for harp by Milda Agazarian, is out now!
On Sunday June 29thClaire Jones, Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales, will perform with The Welsh Sinfonia in a special concert in aid of The British Red Cross Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake Appeal. Claire participated in `HarpMasters`2007and will return this year. For more activities of Claire Jones, please visit her official site
This is to let you know about the jazz course at this year’s International Harp Academy “Harp Masters” in Switzerland this August.Last year’s course was a big success, and I’m very happy to report that I’ve been asked to continue the jazz program as a permanent member of the team.
This year’s course will involve a group class as well as private lessons.The group class will be a combination workshop and masterclass--feel free to bring jazz pieces you’re working on (or questions!)
Otherwise, like last year, we’ll use a jazz standard (which you’ll receive in advance), as a canvas to explore chords, improvisation, some (very friendly) jazz theory, pedal slides, and much more.
The goal is to have you learn the basics of jazz playing while also adding a new piece to your repertoire.
What could be better than exploring jazz harp in a beautiful, friendly, and informal setting?
MINSTREL’S HOLIDAY,a collection of 20 easy fun pieces for lever or pedal harp, is the long-awaited sequel to the highly popular Minstrel`s Gallery and once again it is written for Minstrels of all ages. The purpose is to introduce interesting new titles, cool rhythms, various harp effects and a measure of `acting` to the music – all aimed at having as much fun as possible whilst learning at the same time.
Skaila Kanga joins Milda Agazarian to teach as a Resident Professor during the 3rd International Harp Academy `HarpMasters` coming up this August in Switzerland. The classes of these two celebrated harpists have gained popular demand of younger as well established harpists, who travel from all over the world to study with these outstanding teachers. During the week`s program their inspiring masterclass sessions, lessons, lectures, talks will leave no person untouched. During the intensive, packed, (but with much fun) teaching program you will gain priceless knowledge and, the most importantly, the inspiration to help you achieve your goals.
It will be for the third time this August that we continue to meet to exchange our experiences, share our knowledge and inspire each other during the 3rd International Harp Academy Harpmasters in Switzerland. Our idea of building up a high level end of summer harp program has produced outstanding results.Many of our students show remarkable progress, as well as going on to win important prizes at national and international competitions since attending our course. Besides being in a charming venue and well-structured organization, there is always friendly atmosphere, in which participants work hard to develop their skills and professors are happy to share their knowledge with their young colleagues.
During our panel discussion this year we will talk in detail about preparation forcompetitions. In this talk, the 1st Prize winner of the 2001 USA International Competition Dan Yu, will join Skaila Kanga and myself to give you the widest overview with many tips and behind the scenes information. In addition we are all immensely looking forward to the Celebrity Recital and Guest Masterclass of our renowned colleague Catherine Michel.
Following last year’s great success, Park Stickney will join us this year as a Resident Professor of Jazz Harp and will work with you during his annual jazz workshop as well as giving private lessons.
Finally but most important, you will gain priceless friendships which will support you throughout your long professional journey.
I look forward to meeting once again our returning participants as well as warmly welcoming new participants.
Looking forward to meeting you this summer in Switzerland
Once again we will meet up in sunny Switzerland in the beautiful setting of Herzberg to continue our passion for the harp for the 3rd year running. We have a really exciting program for you this coming August. Park Stickney will join us for his now regular slot as Resident Professor of Jazz Harp, taking both 1-1 lessons and a group workshop. We will also welcome two international guests - Catherine Michel and Dan Yu, who will give concerts and guests masterclasses as well as their famous 'backstage talks'. This year we will talk about preparation for competitions.
Many students now visit us on a regular basis and have greatly improved their musicianship and performance level as a direct result. We would also like to welcome teachers and friends as listeners. Have a wonderful spring and I hope to see you in August.
Very best wishes
Professor Skaila Kanga Royal Academy of Music London, U.K.
Professor SKAILA KANGA reports on 2nd International Harp Academy "HarpMasters"
The second "HarpMasters" course was held once again at the Herzberg Convention Hotel, high in the mountains above Aarau near Zurich. Students travelled from across the world to embark on this musical journey. They came from Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Czech Republic, France, USA, England, Wales, Germany and Switzerland. This event is designed to help individual harpists at advanced level to extend the boundaries of their performance, remedy their technical problems, to widen their repertoire, experience and understanding of their instrument and to make new friends.
An essential part of the programme is to hear leading guest artists’ perform and have opportunities to talk with them afterwards, listen to lectures and workshops. This year, thanks to the generosity of the Victor Salvi Foundation, Gwyneth Wentink, 1st Prize winner of the Israel Competition, gave a fascinating recital of both well-known and contemporary works. Her precision and musicianship in combining an array of percussion instruments with flawless harp playing was awesome. She later spoke of her journey with the harp from early beginnings, through the competition years, her present day activities and future goals. Regular afternoon masterclasses with resident professors Milda Agazarian from Moscow and Skaila Kanga from London integrated well with morning private lessons and individual practice. We greatly appreciate the continued support of Salvi Harps, who donated eight superb concert grand harps. This kind of course is not possible without their help and we send our grateful thanks once again. The flexibility of this developing programme allows the student to be a listener or just take private lessons. This year there were auditors from France, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Germany. Midweek, we were joined by Park Stickney, the unrivalled king of jazz-harp, who gave an incredible recital to a packed, cheering audience at the Gutenberg Museum in Fribourg. The following day, Park held a day-long workshop back at Herzberg, in which he taught many jazz harp skills such as chords, bass lines, pedal slides, chromatics, swing and blues, grooves and improvisation. After the workshop all participants were truly stunned, many of whom never dreamt they would perform these skills in one day! Following this success, Park Stickney will join HarpMasters as resident professor of Jazz Harp in future years. There will be opportunities to take private lessons and/or attend his annual workshop. Milda Agazarian gave a most informative lecture on the history of the Russian School of Harp Performance, illustrated with photographs and recordings. Her ‘Tips and Tricks’ demonstration of basic Russian hand position, scales and arpeggio techniques was illuminating to all, especially those with technical difficulties. Skaila Kanga also talked about life in the recording studios and the pressures and skills required to succeed in this field. She played some of her recordings with Itzak Perlman, Tommy Reilly, Barbara Streisand, Sting and Elton John and answered many questions about many of the artists and composers she has worked with over the years.
Ensemble performance plays a big role in the lives of most professional harpists and this is a skill we work on regularly at HarpMasters. This year at the final concert, the harp octets played Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and Mussorgsky’s Great Gate of Kiev from ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’. Jimin and Jiyoung Lee were the brilliant duo in John Thomas’ Cambria. This concert is the focal point of HarpMasters. It gives the students a chance to meter their week’s progress, affirm their work and goals for the coming months and experience a formal concert setting. The level this year was truly outstanding. The programme included solo works by Salzedo, Grandjany, Parish Alvars, Walter Kune, Philippe Hersant, Sally Beamish, Jan Fischer, Tournier and Godefroid. A second concert opportunity on the following morning at the Gutenberg Museum, gave students a chance to perform other works from the week’s classes.
HarpMasters’ aim is to constantly adapt and develop according to the needs of our younger generation of harpists, to provide encouragement and support and to promote awareness of our instrument to the concert-going public. We definitely feel we have furthered these goals this year and the enthusiasm and performance level of both our new and returning students are testimony to our mission.
Our website www.harpmasters.com is constantly updated and our expert management team led by Mrs Irina Zingg is happy to assist with any enquiries. Look out for pictures and comments from this year’s course.
Here’s to HarpMasters 2008!
Professor Skaila Kanga Head of Harp Studies, Royal Academy of Music, London.
was held in Switzerland between August 5-13, 2007. It turned out to be an outstanding summer harp course. We welcomed back Professors-in-Residence Skaila Kanga and Milda Agazarian, who conducted daily, as ever outstanding, masterclass sessions, private lessons, ensemble sessions as well as gave most interesting lectures. In harp ensemble sessions we prepared the Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Great Gate of Kiev” by Mussorgsky which were performed at the Final Gala Concert, giving the Swiss audiences first performances of pieces for 8 concert harps!
We are extremely proud to have had such a talented, motivated, hard-working and friendly group of HarpMasters 2007 participants. They travelled from across the world to work together, to listen and help each other and above all, to learn from their mentors.
We would like to send our very best thanks to our sponsors - without their continued support the development of the program would not be possible.
Salvi Harps for providing 8 concert harps for the course
Both the Jazz Concert and Workshop on the following day given by Park Stickney were an incredible success. There were many moments of inspiration, encouragement, knowledge, joy, eye-opening revelations – all packed into one day’s workshop for young harpists. We are more than proud to announce, that Park will join HarpMasters’ residential Professors’ board and will lead the Jazz Division of HarpMasters’ Program for years to come!
We will follow with more reports and photos of the course in next few weeks. At the meantime, thank you to all participants of HarpMasters 2007 and we welcome you back to the
