Harp On Wight
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HARP ON WIGHT INTERNATIONAL  FESTIVAL 2019

Since it began in 2014, the hallmark of the annual Harp on Wight festivals has always been the very high standard of both concerts and teaching workshops. and the 2019 event certainly maintained that very high level of quality.
It proved to be an inspired decision by the organizers to build a link with a Conservatoire for the first time. Eira Lynn Jones from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester was invited to perform in the opening concert together with an ensemble of four of her students, and then also to lead a mixed abilities workshop entitled 'Flying with the Birds' which led to a further heart warming performance on the Sunday afternoon given by Eira and the workshop participants.
Reverting back to the opening concert, Eira's solo performance included a new work by Anne Appleby entitled 'Knocking' and Charlotte Petersen ( the poem 'Invisible Wire'). The Ensemble featured a graphic score by Catherine Kontz- Yaxley, lyrical work by Monika Stadler (the poem 'Invisible Wire'. The Ensemble featured a graphic score by Catherine Kontz-Yaxley,  and a raga by Caroline Lizotte. It is a tradition of the festival for the Saturday afternoon concert to provide a performance platform to the winner and runner-up from the Camac Competition held at the North London Festival earlier in the year. The festival `is very grateful for the support given to this concert by the UK Harp Association. Welsh harpist Mared Pugh Evans contemplative pieces included Sonata In A Major by Scarlatti and Rhapsodie by Grandjany, whilst Italy's Claudia Lamanna concluded her performance with an extremely elegant interpretation of Carlos Salzedo's 'Variation on a theme in the ancient style'.
The highlight of Ailie Robertson's outstanding Saturday evening concert was a sublime version of 'Little Bird' from her 2018 Celtic
Connections Festival New Voices commission which incorporated a choir effect on the Camac Ulysee electro-harp. Her performance showcased the full range of the instrument and included a variation on the Irish reel 'The Black Hole', foot-tapping polkas, a Norwegian tune and a lullaby as an encore.
Grainne Hambly's Sunday evening concert was surprisingly the first ever by an Irish harpist in the six year history of the festival. It was an entrancing display of Irish music, including a spellbinding version of O'Carolan's 'Eleanor Plunkett', some fluid Willie Clancy finger jigs and a jaunty Junior Cregan hornpipe, all interspersed with interesting introductions about the history behind the pieces.
On the Monday afternoon, the Festival's Patron Anne Denholm gave a very informative illustrated talk documenting the development of the pedal harp, including some short sections that she played on the harp.
Austria's Monika Stadler's Monday evening concert was superb, and arguably one of three best ever concert in the festival's history.
Mesmeric flowing playing with outstanding technical brilliance. Highlights were many, including the light and jazzy 'Away For A While', 'Tango del Pasdo' which reflected on the time that Monika spent recently in Wales, and 'Tomorrow' - a happy, joyful piece, usually performed with a kora player.
Isle of Wight music teacher Helen Hankey and cellist Anneleis Scott maintained the high standard with their Tuesday afternoon concert included a striking 'Fire Dance' and two Bach pieces.
It was then left to the Harp and Hang duo of Marianne Gubri on pedal and electro-harp and Paolo Borghi on hang drum to bring a blissful conclusion to a memorable festival. The resonance between their instruments is beautiful., the Celtic-inspired 'Aquamarine' being one of many highlights. It was a relaxing and fitting way to finish the event.
It was evident to see why the festival added the word 'International' to it's title. The programming was spot on, and Lucia Para's striking artwork on the programme cover and posters very much reflected the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the festival. There will be much to  look forward to in 2020.
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  • About
    • History
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews of Previous Festivals
  • Festival 2025
  • News
  • Previous Festivals
    • Festival 2023 >
      • Concerts 2023
      • Workshops 2023
      • Make Yourself a Harp 2023
    • Festival 2022 >
      • Concerts 2022
      • Workshops 2022
    • Festival 2021 >
      • Concerts 2021
      • Workshops 2021
    • Festival 2020 >
      • Online Concerts 2020
      • Online Workshops 2020
    • Festival 2019 >
      • Gallery 2019
      • Concerts 2019
      • Workshops 2019
      • Make Yourself a Harp 2019
    • Festival 2018 >
      • Gallery 2018
      • Concerts 2018
      • Harpcatcher 2018
      • Workshops 2018
      • Exhibition 2018
      • Make Yourself a Harp 2018
    • Festival 2017 >
      • Concerts 2017
      • Pop-up Events
      • Workshop 2017
      • Make Yourself a Harp
      • Exhibition
      • Location Information
    • Festival 2016 >
      • Gallery 2016
      • Exhibition 2016
      • Concerts 2016
      • Harpcatcher 2016
      • Courses 2016
    • Festival 2015 >
      • Gallery 2015
      • Exhibition 2015
      • Concerts 2015
      • Harpcatcher 2015
      • Courses 2015
    • Festival 2014 >
      • Gallery 2014
      • Exhibition 2014
      • Concerts 2014
      • Harpcatcher 2014
      • Courses 2014
  • CONTACT
  • Shop