Gershwin / Mossberg / Agback- Songs to Harp (CD)
A harp creates completely different overtones than a grand piano, which makes a big difference between singing with the accompaniment of a harp, and a grand piano. The singer has to adjust the ears to a completely different sound that partly supports the song well, but also makes it difficult for the singer to intonate; the singer is more vulnerable than with a piano accompaniment. The harp's design makes it hard for the harpist to quickly make key changes and modulations, that for a pianist is natural, or even simple. Sometimes the key has to be adapted to the harp's capability. A good and direct communication between singer and accompanist is always essential, regardless of accompaniment. Even a flexible and sensitive harpist can experience more difficulties to shift tempo than a pianist, forcing the singer to phrase different than singing to the piano or guitar. However, such difficulties must be tackled and afterwards the cooperation can be rewarded with an emergence of a magical atmosphere. Since the harpist Stina Hellberg Agback is also a skillful improviser, another dimension is added, here in the songs by George Gershwin.
Tracklist:
- O Captain! My Captain!
- Dirge for Two Veterans
- Es Regnet
- My Ship
- Nacht from Acht Gedichte aus, Letzte Blätter', Op. 10/3
- Breit' über Mein Haupt Dein Schwarzes Haar from Sechs Lieder aus, Lotosblätter', Op. 19/2
- Morgen!, from 4 Lieder, Op. 27/4
- Traum Durch Die Dämmerung, from 3 Songs, Op. 29/1
- Oh, Lady, be Good, from Lady Be Good
- Someone to Watch Over Me, from Oh, Kay!
- How Long Has This Been Going On, from Rosalie
- But Not for Me, from Girl Crazy
- They Can't Take That Away From Me, from Shall We Dance
- Love Is Here to Stay, from The Goldwyn Follies
A harp creates completely different overtones than a grand piano, which makes a big difference between singing with the accompaniment of a harp, and a grand piano. The singer has to adjust the ears to a completely different sound that partly supports the song well, but also makes it difficult for the singer to intonate; the singer is more vulnerable than with a piano accompaniment. The harp's design makes it hard for the harpist to quickly make key changes and modulations, that for a pianist is natural, or even simple. Sometimes the key has to be adapted to the harp's capability. A good and direct communication between singer and accompanist is always essential, regardless of accompaniment. Even a flexible and sensitive harpist can experience more difficulties to shift tempo than a pianist, forcing the singer to phrase different than singing to the piano or guitar. However, such difficulties must be tackled and afterwards the cooperation can be rewarded with an emergence of a magical atmosphere. Since the harpist Stina Hellberg Agback is also a skillful improviser, another dimension is added, here in the songs by George Gershwin.
Tracklist:
- O Captain! My Captain!
- Dirge for Two Veterans
- Es Regnet
- My Ship
- Nacht from Acht Gedichte aus, Letzte Blätter', Op. 10/3
- Breit' über Mein Haupt Dein Schwarzes Haar from Sechs Lieder aus, Lotosblätter', Op. 19/2
- Morgen!, from 4 Lieder, Op. 27/4
- Traum Durch Die Dämmerung, from 3 Songs, Op. 29/1
- Oh, Lady, be Good, from Lady Be Good
- Someone to Watch Over Me, from Oh, Kay!
- How Long Has This Been Going On, from Rosalie
- But Not for Me, from Girl Crazy
- They Can't Take That Away From Me, from Shall We Dance
- Love Is Here to Stay, from The Goldwyn Follies