Milot, Valérie / Revelation: Harp Recital
Label: Analekta

Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-06-04

Québec harpist, Valérie Milot, has a colorful, powerful style and flawless technique and has won numerous competitions. She was the first harpist in nearly 100 years to receive the Prix d’Europe (2008). Godefroid was considered by Berlioz the best harpist in Europe and composed widely for the instrument. As was the fashion in that time, Hindemith’s 1939 Sonata develops ideas rather than themes. Renié began harp studies at age 8 and won prizes at age 10. Her Symphonic Piece solemnly and dramatically explores the harp’s entire range. Britten’s Suite for Harp (1969) displays both 18th century refinement and lyricism and demands for technique. Lizotte’s La Madone, a love song, was composed for Ms. Milot and depicts a mother contemplating her child. Salzedo’s Scintillation introduced new harp techniques (pedal slides, muting strategic chords, and brassy sounds made by the harpist’s nails close to the sound board) that other harp composers have taken up.

Félix Godefroid (1818-1897)
1. Concert Study in Eb min. (4:45). Romantic melody with a faintly Spanish flavor, soaring arpeggios, satisfying classical cadences.
Paul Hindemith (1995-1963). Sonata for Harp
2. Mäßig schnell (5:15). Small church organ sounds, then diatonic, but mildly oriental.
3. Lebhaft (2:22). Children playing in the church square. Balls, jump rope, hop scotch, up tempo, ascending melodic lines, very occasional discord.
4. Lied – Sehr langsam (3:28). A slow, discordant, melancholy song inspired by the composer’s impending emigration.
Henriette Renié (1875-1956). Symphonic Piece in three episodes (9:58)
5. Marche funèbre [a well-loved figure has departed; we march to the grave to slightly altered classical harmonies]; Appassionata [minor key, lovely broken chords, then a love song, albeit with conflict]; Transfiguration [sunlight breaks out, we ascend “on wings of song”, achieving grace].
Albert Ginastera (1916-1983)
6. Milonga (2:37). Pensive, minor key, Spanish-style lament in 4/4
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).
7. Pavane for a Dead Princess (6:20). A well-known, lovely dance in mourning. The harp conveys the beauty and the sadness well
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Suite for Harp, Op. 83.
8. Overture (3:24). Harmony, then spooky rhythm, ominous bass chords, dissonant syncopation, then harmony and spooky rhythm make piece with each other.
9. Toccata (1:37). Playful, rapid.
10. Nocturne (2:55). Somber, slow, 2/2 meter, discordant.
11. Fugue (1:19). Two voices engage in upbeat, mildly interesting melody.
12. Hymn St. Denio (5:33). The saint trudges in, musters positive messages, even ascendant ones via rising glissandos and chords, then walks off.
Caroline Lizotte (1969- )
13. La Madone (6:10). Slow, short, repetitive, decorated melodic phrases
Carlos Salzedo(1961-1995)
14. Scintillation (10:01). No coherent melody. Quiet, slow, mid-pt increase in tempo, brief energetic strumming, melody tones at 4ths and 5ths, dissonance, strum end.