The Marx Brothers were all very talented. But, Harpo is the only one who goes into the magical, musical zone where he is no longer aware of anything but the music.
The story is that Harpo picked up the harp on his own and played for several years before he concluded did not have proper technique. . He hired harp several teachers, who instead of teaching him, one after the other, just watched him in awe. He was a brilliant player.
What surprised me was that this 'advert' had very little surface noise. No needle scratches, no pressing faults. Nothing. A well preserved and probably very rare item since many of them would probably have been dumped in the trash.
What's the fascination with this demo disc. The box-sets are fabulous, and there's precious little about them on You Tube and it's always about that one box "What is was like to be young, then". There's 15 box-sets total - all pressed by Capitol Records at the Scranton, Pa. plant.
When I was a kid I seen Harpo and wanted a harp. I think I must have gone on about it, because one Christmas morning there was a present so big we couldn't see the Christmas tree. I remember being a little disappointed, because I had forgot about asking for a harp and thought it was a large pond yacht, and I remember dad complaining his armchair had been given to the neighbor to make room - I never did learn to play it - it's still at my parents house. My dad was not very sophisticated and wanted me to be the same and he never let me forget about the harp. Whenever, I would have a house, car or boat repossessed by the loan company, my dad would say, _'You couldn't just want a harmonica like most kids'_ That's probably why they call it _'harping on'_ ...
I'm happy to see this..high talent...A gifted performer...there is much to be learned about past entertainers and performers...RU-vid is really a TIME Machine ...amazing the PRIVILEGES our Modern day affords us..
What Harpo is playing here (and improvising upon) is the song, “Guardian Angels” - for which Harpo composed the music. Mario Lanza recorded that same song, and his rendition is available here on RU-vid.
He always played it serious. Harpo at his instrument was a moment of beauty in those movies, where he would slightly get out of character and give us some awe inspiring joyful music.
I once asked a friend of mine, Ed Druzinski, who was harpist for the Chicago Symphony, what he thought of Harpo Marx. His comment was that Harpo was a master of the instrument. High praise, coming from a man who spent thirty years as harpist for the Chicago Symphony!
One thing I do not think anyone has mentioned yet is that (I think) Harpo was donating his time and talent for this performance as this program was a War Bond rally meant to raise funds to support our soldiers fighting in the last weeks of World War II.
I've never been one for musicals, but the Marx Brothers' movies are the exception, as I enjoy the piano playing of Chico and Harpo's harp playing. My favorite part of Harpo's playing is his usual finishing up of the piece he's playing, like the one here. His hands move so fast on those strings, but lightly. I've got a copy of his book, "Harpo Speaks" and he admitted that he couldn't read music, but there it is.
