The program for this week's Chamber Music Society features music by Caplet, Jongen and Debussy, and spotlights harpist Bridget Kibbey.
Harps have been around for a long time, appearing in ancient cultures in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, but it was not until the pedal harp was invented around the beginning of the 18th century that the instrument became truly useful for classical music, says David Finckel, Chamber Music Society co-artistic director. The pedals enable the instrument to play, relatively easily, all the pitches of the chromatic scale, an essential feature for an instrument if it is to fit into the Western musical works that change keys often.
The works on this program, all featuring Bridget Kibbey, comprise a tantalizing sampling of what the harp can bring to chamber music.
Program details:
Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp
— Sooyun Kim, flute; Paul Neubauer, viola; Bridget Kibbey, harp
Jongen: Deux pièces en trio for Flute, Cello, and Harp, Op. 80
— Sooyun Kim, flute; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Bridget Kibbey, harp
Caplet: Conte fantastique for Harp, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello
— Bridget Kibbey, harp; Kristin Lee, Erin Keefe, violin; Richard O'Neill, viola; Jakob Koranyi, cello