PUBLISHER G Schirmer Inc

DURATION 7 min

ORCHESTRATION hp

Commissioned by the International Harp Contest in Israel

I composed "Suite for Harp" in 2020 as a commission for the International Harp Competition in Israel. This three-movement work showcases the versatility and technical capabilities of the harp, with each movement highlighting different aspects of the instrument.

The first movement, Prelude, focuses on the hand technique of playing the harp. The piece follows a baroque pattern prelude texture, with no changes in pedaling. The harmonic progression is quartal and was created using Markov Chains to generate a unique grammar, adding a modern touch to the piece.

The second movement, Improvisation, is in the style of a Jazz solo piano improvisation, reminiscent of Bill Evans. The movement employs a large number of pedal changes, allowing the performer to explore the chromatic possibilities of the harp. This movement showcases the improvisational and expressive qualities of the harp, demonstrating the versatility of the instrument in different musical genres.

The final movement, Dance, is in 7/8 time signature and combines both hand and foot techniques. It serves as a culmination of the technical aspects of the first two movements and is more joyful and exuberant. This movement showcases the virtuosic capabilities of the harp and provides a lively conclusion to the suite.