Czech (Mostly) Music for Harp

MILOSLAV KABELÁČ (1908-1979): Lamenti e risolini - 8 Bagatelles for Flute and Harp, Op. 53*, KLEMENT SLAVICKY (1910-1999): Musica per arpa*, ILJA HURNÍK (1922-2013): Tombeau de Köchel for Flute and Harp*, LUBOŠ SLUKA (b.1928): Suite in modo classico for Solo Harp*, JIRÍ GEMROT (b.1957): Trio for Oboe, Harp and Piano*, BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1913-1976): Suite for Harp, Op. 83. * - First Recordings.

Description: Harp lovers will find much to enjoy in this 84-minute disc, of which 67 are first recordings of music by Czech composers (three of the five dedicated to the harpist who performs them here). Most are readily approachable and tonal, the most conservative being Sluka’s neo-romantic suite from 2007 and Hurník’s short Tombeau which has fun with fragments of Mozart. Gemrot (2010) plays with the unusual combination of oboe, piano and harp and finds appealing sound combinations and textures. Kabeláč, from 1969, when musical restrictions in Czechoslovakia were still in a newly relaxed stage, is the most “modern” but is approachable for the moderately adventurous in its exploration of onomatopoeic possibilities for harp and flute. Katerina Englichová (harp), Carol Wincenc (flute), Vilém Veverka (oboe), Martin Kasik (piano).