The influence of french culture on the harp: Focusing on the impressionist era's Maurice Ravel's Introduction and Allegro
Loading...
Files
Authors
Woidela, Lauren A.
Issue Date
Type
Language
eng
Keywords
Harp, French culture, Maurice Ravel
Alternative Title
Abstract
Having records dating back from 3000 B.C., the harp is one of the oldest instruments known to man, yet has undergone many make-overs. Some of the more drastic changes took place during the impressionist movement in France. This presentation will show how much affect France had on the instrument. There will be an analysis and a performance of the historical harp piece, Introduction and Allegro written for harp and chamber ensemble of flute, clarinet and a string quartet.
Description
The single action pedal harp, invented in 1720, has pedals which are similar to the function of crochets, augmenting the pitch of the string by a half-step. A harpist moves the pedals with their feet, freeing their hand, to play more difficult music. This harp was not perfect, a lot of the time when a harpist moved a pedal, a string would break and made performing in public impossible. This harp was made in Paris, France, made by the famous harp maker Jean-Henri Naderman. Queen Marie Antoinette played a harp similar to this. Empress Josephine also played a single action harp. The single action pedal harp, invented in 1720, has pedals which are similar to the function of crochets, augmenting the pitch of the string by a half-step. A harpist moves the pedals with their feet, freeing their hand, to play more difficult music. This harp was not perfect, a lot of the time when a harpist moved a pedal, a string would break and made performing in public impossible. This harp was made in Paris, France, made by the famous harp maker Jean-Henri Naderman. Queen Marie Antoinette played a harp similar to this. Empress Josephine also played a single action harp. In 1810, Sebastian Erard, another famous Parisian harp maker, received a patent for a double action harp. Harp makers became intrigued with this model and with another 70 years, it was perfected and grew in popularity. Similar to the single action harp, the double action harp could change the pitch of the string twice; not only augmenting by a half-step but also lowering the pitch by a half-step as well. A harpist can now play all keys. This harp has 47 strings, which is the same amount today. In 1810, Sebastian Erard, another famous Parisian harp maker, received a patent for a double action harp. Harp makers became intrigued with this model and with another 70 years, it was perfected and grew in popularity. Similar to the single action harp, the double action harp could change the pitch of the string twice; not only augmenting by a half-step but also lowering the pitch by a half-step as well. A harpist can now play all keys. This harp has 47 strings, which is the same amount today. The Pleyel chromatic harp was created in 1894 for the harpist that finds pedals difficult. Instead of pedals, this harp has two sets of strings, having all twelve tones at their fingertips. There are 78 strings in total. As time went on, the pedal harp was found much more practical and could adapt to more music. The chromatic harp slowly became nonexistent. The Pleyel chromatic harp was created in 1894 for the harpist that finds pedals difficult. Instead of pedals, this harp has two sets of strings, having all twelve tones at their fingertips. There are 78 strings in total. As time went on, the pedal harp was found much more practical and could adapt to more music. The chromatic harp slowly became nonexistent. In 1996, the French harp maker company, Camac, perfected the double action pedal harp. Although there is not a difference when playing this harp; “The New Generation” harp’s improvements lie in the mechanisms inside the harp. The improvements make the harp more durable. In 1996, the French harp maker company, Camac, perfected the double action pedal harp. Although there is not a difference when playing this harp; “The New Generation” harp’s improvements lie in the mechanisms inside the harp. The improvements make the harp The Lever harp had a hook on more durable. each string and when the harpist moved this crochet (hook) with their left hand, it would raise the pitch by a half-step. This was a groundbreaking invention because the hooks made the harp more versatile; now having double the pitches a harpist could play more repertoire. Some lever harps had legs added to the base of the harp, having the harp sit on the floor. The floor harp grew height and gave the harp more strings, totaling 32. The Lever harp had a hook on each string and when the harpist moved this crochet (hook) with their left hand, it would raise the pitch by a half-step. This was a groundbreaking invention because the hooks made the harp more versatile; now having double the pitches a harpist could play more repertoire. Some lever harps had legs added to the base of the harp, having the harp sit on the floor. The floor harp grew height and gave the harp more strings, totaling 32. France was the music capital during the Renaissance. The harp had a makeover during this time. This new harp was called the gothic harp. The shape of the harp changed from a triangular harp to a more slender and taller harp. The result of this change, gave the harp ten more strings and for the strolling troubadour, it was easier to carry around from town to town. A harpist still played this harp on their lap. France was the music capital during the Renaissance. The harp had a makeover during this time. This new harp was called the gothic harp. The shape of the harp changed from a triangular harp to a more slender and taller harp. The result of this change, gave the harp ten more strings and for the strolling troubadour, it was easier to carry around from town to town. A harpist still played this harp on their lap. This statue dates back to ancient -2000 the history of the harp because it is the oldest example. Harpist can see the shape and how it is played. The harp originates from the bow and arrow, one can see how the shape of the bow is resembled. Greece anywhere from 3000 B.C.. Archeologist believe the Harp Player comes from the Cyclades tribe. This marble figurine is very important This statue dates back to ancient -2000 the history of the harp because it is the oldest example. Harpist can see the shape and how it is played. The harp originates from the bow and arrow, one can see how the shape of the bow is resembled. Greece anywhere from 3000 B.C.. Archeologist believe the Harp Player comes from the Cyclades tribe. This marble figurine is very important Celtic Domination in Gaul 2,500-50 B.C. Francois 1st • 1515-1547 1610-1643 • Louis VIII 1715-1774 Louis XV 1804-1814 Emperor Napoleon I 1870–1940 The Third Republic President Jacques Chirac 2,500-50 B.C. 1515-1547 1610-1643 1715-1774 1804-1814 1870-1940 1905-2007