A Pastoral Christmas
Giuseppe Valentini (ca. 1680-ca. 1759)
Christmas Symphony
[1] Largo -- Andante e forte -- Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
[2] Prelude in E-flat Minor, S. 853
(from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)
Pietro Nardini (1722-1793)
[3] Adagio
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
[4] Pastoral (Symphony) from Messiah
Giuseppe Torelli (1658)
[5] Largo and Vivace from The Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 8, No. 6)
Johann Sebastian Bach
[6] Largo from Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, S. 1056
Barbara Pniewska, solo harp; Eva Jaslar, accompaniment Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770)
[7] Sinfonia Pastorale Adagio cantabile-Allegro
Alessandro Marcello (1684-1750)
[8] Largo from the Concerto Grosso for Unisono Violins and Four Harps
New York Harp Ensemble
Barbara Pniewska, Eva Jaslar, Sylvia Kowalczuk, Margery Fitts
Aristid von Wurtzler, Music Director and Conductor with The New York Pro ArteChamber Orchestra
Raffael Adler, Artistic Director
Arrangement is the art of reworking a composition for instruments other than the one(s) for which it was originally written, without making substantial changes in the music itself. This practice became popular in the Renaissance, when vocal music was set for lute or keyboard, and large numbers of arrangements are extant from each phase of music history. During later periods, composers and publishers were quick to indicate on the title pages a list of "alternate" instruments on which the music could be performed. The selections on this recording have been arranged by Aristid von Wurtzler for string orchestra and harp ensemble.
One of the outstanding Italian composers of his time, Giuseppe Valentini was a virtuoso violinist and poet who held positions in Florence, Bologna, and Rome. The Christmas Symphony was published in 1701 and carries the annotation "Per il Santissimo Natale," which means that the work was intended to be performed at Christmas time.
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the wellknown Prelude from The Well-Tempered Clavier (no. 8 in book 1) in 1722, when he was conductor of the court orchestra in Cothen. It presents an expressive melody over recurring chords and possesses a
wealth of brilliant inventions. This arrangement for four harps expresses the solemnity of the music.
Pietro Nardini, an eminent disciple of Tartini, was admired by his contemporaries as a virtuoso and as a composer of violin pieces. Vivacity, grace, and sentimentality are the main characteristics of his style. The present Adagio is one of his most popular pieces and is a welcome addition to the vast repertoire of the New York Harp Ensemble.
One of GeorgeFrideric Handel's most popular pieces, written for strings only, the Pastoral from Messiah has been likened to the concerti grossi of the Italian masters. Dr. von Wurtzler's arrangement gives the piece an angelic quality and makes it especially suitable for Christmas celebrations.
Giuseppe Torelli is remembered as the most brilliant member of the Bolognese School. The Largo from his Concerti grossi con una pastorale per ii Ss Natale is recitative-like and features a violin solo (played by solo harp) alternated with great blocks of chords from the strings. The concluding Vivace preserves the pastoral character of the work.
The Concerto in F is one of Bach's most
popular works of this genre. It shows definite Italian influence but the harmonic richness and the intensity of expression evoke characteristic stylistic properties of Bach.
Ms. Pniewska's solo playing and Ms. Jaslar's accompaniment are admirably combined to recreate the composer's original intentions.
Giuseppe Tartini, a composer, violinist, teacher, and theorist, was a principal contributor to the virtuoso concerto and sonata literature for the violin. In this composition four harps exquisitely blend with the strings, resulting in ideal sound effects rarely achieved by orchestration
Philosopher, mathematician, and composer, Alessandro Marcello, the elder brother of Benedetto composed sonatas, cantatas, and concerti. In this Largo, four harps are accompanied only by unisono violins, thereby creating an unusual sonority and a solemn atmosphere.
The New York Harp Ensemble has earned an international reputation with its unique programming and superlative musicianship. Founded in 1970 by the world famous harpist Aristid von Würtzler, the Ensemble consists of four virtuoso harpists. Through its hundreds of concerts and 17 recordings, it has been instrumental in introducing a wealth of harp literature to delighted listeners. It has assumed a teaching activity as Artist in Residence at New York University.
The New York Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, under its founder and artistic director Raffael Adler, has established itself as one of the most eminent chamber groups in America. It frequently concertizes internationally with great success. This is the group's first recording venture with the New York Harp Ensemble
Charles K. Geczy
