Concerto for Harp and Orchestra

Recorded at the Henry Crown Auditorium, Jerusalem, 1985
Efrat Lavry-Zaklad, Harp
David Robertson, Conductor
Kol Israel Symphony Orchestra (The Broadcasting Service Orchestra)

Publisher: The Marc Lavry Heritage Society

Synopsis:
When Lavry composed the concerto in 1963, he had two goals in mind: to explore various unconventional harp textures and to compose a work he would perform together with his daughter Efrat, a harp student.
The first goal was achieved yet, unfortunately, he passed away in 1967 prior to the concerto’s first performance.

The first movement opens with a cadenza serving as an introduction. This is followed by the main part of the movement, which is lyrical and uses rhythms typical to Lavry: a 9/8 measure divided onto three quarter notes and three eights notes.

The second movement is a bridge to the third one. It is a kind of a cadenza in which the harp is joined by other instruments, each playing a solo part.

The last movement is dance-like incorporating many syncopated rhythms. It is based on a single theme that Lavry explores via various techniques. The main theme is a dialogue between the percussion section (the timpani) and the soloist thus addressing the harp’s percussive color. The “Middle Eastern” atmosphere is enhanced by the use of octaves and unisons.

Performances:

June 19-20-21, 2010
The Haifa Symphony Orchestra
Efrat Lavry-Zaklad, Harp
Uri Segal, Conductor