From the arranger:
“This collection contains fifteen elegant, stately melodies from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. These melodies have been adapted from popular dance tunes, keyboard works and lute songs of the late 16th to early 17th centuries and freely harmonized. While these arrangements make no attempt to be historically correct, they are intended to capture the ‘flavor’ of the period.
“So that the entire book can be played as a continuous ‘suite’ of elegant background or recital music, the arrangements are written using only the keys of C and G (or their relative minors) and have been placed in an order that (1) presents varied tempo, tonality and meter and (2) facilitates lever and pedal changes. The primo harp part is designed as a complete harp arrangement so that this collection can be used for harp solo as well as harp duet. The secondo part is designed to enhance and fill out the primo part; it is not suitable for harp solo. However, it is possible for a lone primo player to use portions of the second part for a harp variation of sorts.
“Lever changes are indicated between the staves by octave number and diamond-shaped notes, while pedal changes are listed below the bass staff. Guitar chords and suggested fingerings are also included. Harmonics should be played on the exact string indicated
and not ‘down the octave’ in the manner of Carlos Salzedo.
“Each tune has been played, edited and proofread by professional harpists to ensure that these arrangements (1) lie well in the hands, (2) are well-voiced, (3) have a strong rhythmic pulse, (4) display a prominent melodic line and (5) are harmonically pleasing. In order to successfully arrange these melodies for lever harp, a few minor concessions in melody or harmony were necessary. If pedal harpists are bothered by these concessions, they should tastefully ‘fill in’ any missing or altered notes.
“The minimum range needed to play all pieces in this book is four octaves, encompassing the notes C to C, although some of the arrangements actually require a range of only three octaves. Harpers should feel free to add appropriate ornamentation in order to enhance the performance. Dynamics, tempos, and fingerings are provided as a convenience. However, the performer should use whatever interpretation facilitates performance, no matter what this book indicates!”
Biographical notes on the various composers are included. ALL HARPS, INTERMEDIATE.
Table of Contents
- Bransle de Bourgogne
- Galliarde for Queen Elizabeth I
- Siciliano
- Captain Piper’s Gailliarde
- Pavane d’Angleterre
- Gailliarde d’Angleterre
- Spagnoletta
- Bransle de Champagne
- Nancie
- Pavane: Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie
- L’Espagnoletta
- Ladie Laiton’s Alman
- Pavane: Le Force d’Hercole
- Sleep Wayward Thoughts
- Bransle de la Torche
