Michael Daugherty: HARP OF AGES-Courtney Hershey Bress, Harp-Cheyenne Symphony Orch-W. Intriligator

Michael Daugherty
HARP OF AGES for Harp and Orchestra (2023)

(00:00) 1. Sappho Leaps
(04:51) 2. Sister Juana's Hymn
(09:34) 3. Uhura's Song
(13:19) 4. David's Prayer
(19:07) 5. Harpo Speaks
(22:36) 6. Detroit Blues
(26:33) 7. Irish Wedding

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Courtney Hershey Bress, harp
Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra
William Intriligator, conductor

Cheyenne Civic Center
March 15, 2025
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Harp of Ages (2023) for solo harp and orchestra was commissioned by the Colorado Symphony for Principal Harpist, Courtney Hershey Bress

The world premiere was given by Courtney Hershey Bress, solo harp, with the Colorado Symphony, conducted by Andrew Litton at the Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex on May 12, 2023
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Publisher: Michael Daugherty Music

Performance materials available for rental from Bill Holab Music at www.billholabmusic.com

For more information on Michael Daugherty and his music, visit ww.michaeldaugherty.net
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INSTRUMENTATION

Piccolo/Alto Flute, Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, 2 F Horns (Brass Stop mute, straight metal mute), 2 C Trumpets (straight metal and harmon mute, stem out), Percussion 1 (Glockenspiel, plastic and “Magic Flute” mallets Marimba, hard yarn mallets Vibraphone, medium hard yarn mallets and bow, Maracas, Large Shaker, 2 Woodblocks, hard mallets), Percussion 2 (2 Triangles, large and small, on stand, Metal Wind Chimes, Güiro, Castanets, on stand, Claves, Large Whip, Tambourine, Finger Cymbals, Concert Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, yarn mallets, Chimes), Solo Harp (slight amplification recommended), Strings

Duration: 30 minutes
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Harp of Ages (2023) for harp and orchestra was commissioned by the Colorado Symphony for Principal Harpist, Courtney Hershey Bress. The world premiere was given by Courtney Hershey Bress, solo harp, with the Colorado Symphony conducted by Andrew Litton , at the Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex on May 12, 2023.

The harp is one of the oldest and most beautiful instruments, from early civilizations to the present. Like the seven pedals on the modern harp, my concerto is divided into seven movements that reflect on many ages of the harp. Each movement is associated with a memorable figure associated with the harp:

1. Sappho Leaps
Sappho (seventh century BC): a Greek lyric poet who played the harp and (according to ancient lore) leaped from a cliff

2. Sister Juana's Hymn
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (1648-1695): a Mexican nun who became famous as a poet, scholar and composer of music accompanied by harp

3. Uhura's Song
Nyoata Uhura (ca. 23rd century): fictional character from Africa, and communications of!cer on the USS Enterprise, who sang and played the harp on the original Star Trek television series (1964-1967)

4. David’s Prayer
David (ca. 1000 BC): young shepherd from the Old Testament who played the harp to soothe the spirits of King Saul

5. Harpo Speaks
Harpo Marx (1888-1954): mute member of the Marx Brothers comedy team who played the harp in their numerous Hollywood films of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

6. Detroit Blue
Dorothy Ashby (1932-1986) and Alice Coltrane (1937-2007): innovators of the jazz harp from Detroit, Michigan

7. Irish Wedding
Since the thirteen century, the Irish harp been associated with songs of war, dance and weddings. As the heraldic symbol of Ireland, the harp has been championed by Irish harpists from Turlough O’ Carolan

– Michael Daugherty (2023)