1825: Echoes of Vienna on Historical Harp Elisabeth Plank

• Elias Parish Alvars (1808 - 1849):
• 1 Gran studio, Op. 84 “La Mandoline” 08:08
• Louis Spohr (1784 - 1859):
• 2 Fantasia for Harp in C Minor, Op. 35 08:38
• Elias Parish Alvars: Illustrazioni dei poeti Italiani, Op. 97:
• 3 Illustrazioni dei poeti Italiani, Op. 97: No. 1, Andantino con moto 03:58
• 4 Illustrazioni dei poeti Italiani, Op. 97: No. 2, Andante 01:50
• 5 Illustrazioni dei poeti Italiani, Op. 97: No. 3, Andantino con moto 02:03
• Gioacchino Rossini (1792 - 1868):
• 6 Harp Sonata in E-Flat Major 02:37
• Elias Parish Alvars:
• 7 Sérénade in B-Flat Major, Op. 83 08:30
• Ignaz Pleyel (1757 - 1831):
• 8 Rondo in E-Flat Major, Ben 613 (Version for Harp) 04:22
• Franz Lachner (1803 - 1890): 3 Songs without Words for Harp:
• 9 3 Songs without Words for Harp: No. 1, Andantino quasi Allegretto 03:07
• 10 3 Songs without Words for Harp: No. 2, Adagio non troppo 02:26
• 11 3 Songs without Words for Harp: No. 3, Andante 03:51
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827):
• 12 6 Variations on a Swiss Song, WoO 64 (Version for Harp) 03:54
• Charles Nicholas Bochsa (1789 - 1856):
• 13 Rondeau sur le trio “Zitti Zitti” du “Barbier de Seville” 07:03
• Total Runtime 01:00:27

Info for 1825: Echoes of Vienna on Historical Harp

“1825” – the title of the upcoming album of the young Austrian harpist Elisabeth Plank takes reference to the instrument of this recording, the historical double-action harp which was created in that year by the Paris firm of the Érard Brothers. The selection of works makes the emergence of an original harp style audible, which foremost consisted of a stylistic distinction between harp and piano, which was first made possible by the further technical development of both instruments during that time. The album presents compositions by Louis Spohr, Ludwig van Beethoven and Ignaz Pleyel, which were still written for the single-action harp, next to works for the double-action harp by Elias Parish Alvars, without any doubt the most popular harp player of his time, by Franz Lachner, Charles Nicholas Bochsa and Gioacchino Rossini. “For me this album represents the start of an intensive examination of the historical double harp and of the history of the harp in Vienna. This release is therefore intended as an invitation to people to immerse themselves in a world of sound unknown today and in an unfamiliar aspect of Vienna” (Elisabeth Plank).

Elisabeth Plank, harp

Elisabeth Plank
"A command of the instrument and its many moods is what sets Elisabeth Plank apart from the very first note" (Harp Column) Following her solo-debut at age 17 at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, the young Austrian harpist Elisabeth Plank has established herself as an internationally sought-after soloist and ambassador for her instrument. Starting from the 2019/20 season she will be artist-in-residence of Wiener Konzerthaus as part of the series "Great Talent".

She has performed in renowned concert halls and festivals such as Musikverein Wien, Mozarthaus Vienna, Philharmony Kharkiv, Konzertsaal Gasteig, MDR Musiksommer, and she regularly tours in Japan and South America. As a soloist, Elisabeth Plank has appeared with orchestras such as Camerata Bohemica Prag, Thüringer Symphoniker or Barockensemble der Wiener Symphoniker.

Her critically acclaimed debut recording "L'arpa notturna" (ARS Produktion), was released in 2017: "a thoughtful and beautifully played disc [...] Plank has a real command of light and shade. She's adept at creating musical perspective" (Gramophone Magazine)

In September 2018 Elisabeth Plank has recorded the harp concerto by G. C. Wagenseil with the Barockensemble der Wiener Symphoniker.

A prizewinner in a number of international competitions in Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan (e.g. Musica Juventutis, Internationaler Reinl-Wettbewerb, Osaka International Music Competition), Elisabeth Plank was honoured with the "Young Celebrity Master"-award of "HarpMasters" in Switzerland in 2014.

Born in Vienna in 1991, she had her first lesson at age seven and, only two years later, she was accepted as a preparatory course student at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Starting from 2009, Elisabeth Plank has been under the tuition of Adelheid Blovsky-Miller and has concluded her studies in June 2015 with the highest distinction. In further studies she worked with Mirjam Schröder in Vienna and Fabrice Pierre in Brescia.

As a very eager performer and promoter of contemporary music, Elisabeth Plank is dedicated to also presenting her instrument outside the romantic repertoire it is most commonly associated with. Harp concertos and solo pieces have been composed for her by Andreas Wykydal, Onur Dülger, Arturo Fuentes, Lucio Bruno-Videla and Margareta Ferek-Petric.

Highlights of the past season include Elisabeth Plank's solo debut in Musikverein Wien, a recital as artist-in-residence for Salvi Harps' Arpissima concert-series and solo-programs for Jeunesse Musicale Austria. The 2018/19 season starts once more with a South America tour, further highlights include appearances at concert series such as "Young Musicians" in Musikverein Wien and "Révélations - Jeunes Interprètes" in Biel.

Elisabeth Plank will release her second solo album "1825 - Echoes of Vienna on Historical Harp" in May 2019 with Gramola.

Elisabeth Plank performs on a harp by Lyon & Healy as well as a double-action harp made by Érard from 1825 and restored by Rainer M. Thurau.

Booklet for 1825: Echoes of Vienna on Historical Harp