NZSM Second Year Learning Record
Recorded on the 17th of May 2024: NZSM Trimester 1 Chamber Assessments
Harpist: Jessica MacBrayne
Pianist: Laura Stone
Le Barde Muet (“The Silent Bard”), is a piece composed by French harpist and composer Bernard Andres (1941- ). This piece is based on an old medieval tale.
Andres is a very popular composer with both lever and pedal harpists as he is excellent at utilizing all the different extended techniques, colours, and melodic shapes of the harp without overusing the pedals. He is also well-known by harpists for writing music that looks deceptively simple…
Le Barde Muet is an excellent example of Andres’ ability to create a beautiful harp part without the use of pedals. While the pedals are an amazing part of the harp, many modern composers become overexcited by the idea of chromatism of the harp. They focus their efforts onto dissonant chords and forget to utilize the simpler techniques, such as arpeggiation, rolled chords and well-chosen register, that bring out the true beauty of the harp
A harp and piano duet is not a common combination of instruments as they have a tendency to blend into one another. Although this sounds slightly unusual, I think this sound suits Andres’ unique style of composition very well.
Le Barde Muet has three main sections:
1. Allegretto
2. Moderato (Figure 15)
3. Adagietto (Figure 31)
The Allegretto has a steady tempo and both the harp and piano take turns in the lead. This section is characterised by lots of arpeggiated decorations and lush chords.
The Moderato is quite spritely and sounds like little kids running around and playing in water fountains. The softer timbre of the harp arpeggios blends nicely with the twinkling top register of the piano, giving a very fountain-like effect.
The Adagietto is darker, with the use of middle registers on both harp and piano. It sounds as though night has fallen and everyone is going to sleep.
This is a piece I have wanted to learn for a long time, but the music is not available outside of Germany. I had to specially contact the organiser of the World Harp Congress, Isabelle Perrin. She was able to send the parts to me by special permission of the composer, Bernard Andres, himself. I am very excited to be able to be able to finally perform this piece!
19 май 2024
