大象传媒

One of our oldest instruments, the harp has a long and noble history attached to it. From ancient Egypt, to troubadours and princely courts, the harp has held audiences captive over centuries. The harp has constantly evolved and adapted as a response to changing musical environments, from something that existed in almost every ancient culture, to a versatile and sophisticated instrument. Instantly recognisable, the concert harp's gilded beauty proudly announces its presence, yet beyond the glamour of its appearance, and a prominent position in the modern orchestra, it remains still one of the least well known instruments in the classical world.

As a touring musician, Catrin Finch has encountered music from the classical world and a host of other traditions. All of them have helped to shape her thinking and her knowledge of her instrument. In this three-part series the acclaimed virtuoso shares her insights, taking us on a surprising and a very personal journey.

Catrin鈥檚 passionate about pushing the boundaries of what the harp can sound like, and taking it into new territory. In the third part of her series she celebrates the eclecticism of her instrument, and she looks at the work of others who are doing the same. She talks about her remarkable collaboration with kora player Seckou Keita, and we discover how through their work together, her musicianship has evolved in a completely new direction. We hear how the harp has moved successfully into jazz, and how folk musicians are finding a new musical language in a traditional setting. At the cutting edge of experimentalism, we find the harp being pushed to its limits by harpist Rhodri Davies, and we hear how Philip Glass's music is finding new audiences through Lavinia Meijer鈥檚 recordings.
With music from:

Glass, arr Meijer: Etudes no 9
Lavinia Meijer, harp

Hubbard: Little Sunflower
Dorothy Ashby, harp
Orchestra conducted by Richard Evans

Metheny, Mays: 鈥淛ames鈥�
Catrin Finch, harp
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra,
Jody K Jenkins, percussion,
Laurence Cottle, bass guitar,
Jody Jenkins, Paul Clarvis, percussion
Karl Jenkins, conductor

Caplet: Conte fantastique
Emanuel Ceysson, harp
Quatuor Voce

Finch, Keita: Clarach
Seckou Keita, kora
Catrin Finch, harp

Maya Youssef: Bombs turn into roses
Maya Youssef qanun
Barney Morse-Brown, cello
Sebastian Flaig, percussion

Berio: Sequenza II for harp
Fr茅d茅rique Cambreling, harp

Trad, arr. Calan: Yr Eneth Ga鈥檇d ei Gwrthod
Calan

Sally Beamish: Seavaigers
I: Storm
Catriona Mackay , harp
Chris Stout, fiddle
Scottish Ensemble

Each clear and sudden drop is itself
Rhodri Davies, harp

Carlos Rojas: Quita pesares
颁颈尘补谤谤贸苍
Catrin Finch, harp

Producer Johannah Smith for 大象传媒 Wales