Reinhold Glière - Harp Concerto Op. 74 (1938)

Reinhold Moritzevich Glière (Russian: Рейнгольд Морицевич Глиэр, Ukrainian: Ре́йнгольд Мо́ріцевич Гліер / Reingol'd Moritsevich Glier; born Reinhold Ernest Glier, which was later converted for standardization purposes; 11 January 1875 [O.S. 30 December 1874] - 23 June 1956), was a composer in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, of German and Polish descent.
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Concerto for Harp and Orchestra in E-flat major, Op. 74 (1938)
Dedicated to Ksenia Alexandrovna Erdely (1878-1971)
I. Allegro moderato
II. Tema con variazioni (11:13)
III. Allegro giocoso (23:20)
Claire Jones, harp and the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Paul Watkins
Description by Joseph Stevenson [-]
Glière was an exact contemporary of Ravel and only two years younger than Rachmaninov. He followed the latter's musical path, remaining firmly rooted in the styles of techniques he had learned in his youth and never strayed from the colorful Russian cosmopolitan style. But unlike Rachmaninov, he never left the broad territories of the Russian Empire or its successor, the Soviet Union. His avoidance of any modernist or radical sounds also kept him on the right side of the Soviet demand for accessible "Socialist Realist" art.
This concerto was written in 1938. It uses the instrument's idiomatic texture of arpeggiated chords very frequently; at other times rich chords are used and, in the second movement, a simple melodic texture introduces the main theme for a group of six variations and coda. For the most part the music is amiable and untroubled. When Glière wrote it he sought the advice of harpist Ksenia Erdeli as to the practicality of his music. Her suggestions were so helpful that he offered to give her credit in the publication as co-composer but she refused, insisting that her function was that of an editor. This, then, was the credit she received when the work appeared in print in Russia. However, at least one Western source confuses her with her niece Olga Erdeli, also an important harp soloist, and gives the latter undue credit as editor.

[@aramkhachaturian8043]

I love the harp, but it is a shame that recordings never do the actual instrument justice. If you ever have the chance to go to a concert where the harp is the center of attention GO. It is totally different hearing a harp in real life compared to something in a recording. I am not saying this recording is bad, I love it. But you are in for a treat for something amazing if you have never heard a harp live before.

[@ThreadBomb]

I think the recording of this work conducted by Hickox has a good natural sound.

[@davidyoung6331]

Beautiful! Wonderful harp concerto! Thanks for posting!!

[@kujason899]

Gliere: *hands over the score to the musicians* The musicians: what key is the second movement in Gliere: yes

[@natheniel]

Ku Jason I mean... these modulations are pretty normies in romantic standards tbh

[@kujason899]

@@natheniel imagine sightreading

[@CommanderGinyu]

Cb is the key a concert harp is naturally pitched in so it’s not that Crazy ;)

[@gilldotelliott]

Just play it in 1 sharp instead....

[@BubbyNikko]

@@CommanderGinyu exactly, that also means is the key in which the harp strings resonate more.

[@fransmeersman2334]

Thank you very much for this upload of Glière's famous harp concerto, a magnificent performance and the sound quality is impeccable ! Also fascinating information.

[@baghirovali2361]

This is just perfect concerto! One of the paradise melodies that captures the ear with its harmony, passages and entire exposition. Mr.Glière did an amazing job!🎻🎼

[@randomobserver8168]

This is beautiful, and both the work and composer hitherto unknown to me. Thank you. Best 0044 discovery on a Saturday morning ever.

[@bartjebartmans]

You might want to check out his 3rd Symphony. One of the truly grand Russian Symphonies. It is on my channel with score.

[@davidredei7729]

So glad to read this. I discovered Gliere accidentally about 20 years ago, this particular concerto (more precisely the 2nd movement) was the first piece I found, and immediately fell in love with his music. Then I started to research him and located most of his works, and found many more gems. I suggest you to keep exploring. Besides of the third symphony recommended by Bartje, his other symphonies (the first one is my favourite), the horn concerto, ballets, chamber music are all good. Enjoy!

[@LegoDonut18]

One of the most amazing concertos ever!

[@davidrehak3539]

Reinhold Gliére:Esz-dúr Hárfaverseny Op.74 1.Allegro moderato 00:00 2.Tema con variazioni:Andante 11:13 I. Variáció: L'istesso tempo 12:43 II. Variáció: Largamente cantabile 13:52 III. Variáció: Molto tranquillo 15:05 IV. Variáció: Allegretto leggiero 16:34 V. Variáció: Animato 17:34 VI. Variáció: Con moto espressione 18:21 Kóda: Andante 20:23 3.Allegro giocoso 23:20 Claire Jones-hárfa Angol Kamarazenekar Vezényel:Paul Watkins

[@davidrehak3539]

Köszönöm az értékelést

[@davidrehak3539]

Köszönöm az értékelést

[@pauljackson1029]

One of my favourtite works thanks so much for publishig this, have always wanted to see the score

[@mrroneill99]

I loved it! Thanks for uploading. ❤️🎼🎵🎶👏🇮🇪☘️

[@TheModicaLiszt]

No English people here, please

[@franciscobarnes6602]

Lovely! Thanks for the upload!

[@tiagooliveirapreludios-imp9682]

Amazing..! Cannot express the feeling by words... It is Art!!

[@efilenagrammatikaki6972]

So beautiful!!

[@shadowrun45]

The theme in the 3rd movement at 25:23 and 27:32 is undescribably beautiful. It sounds a little bit like the russian national anthem...

[@jojoen3194]

My favorite parts too!

[@cordeliav3055]

Thanks for posting this. I really appreciate looking at the music, trying to come to grips with it. There are some lovely moments.

[@jespermaintz8993]

Ordered on CD. Thanks for uploading! :)

[@JaeyoonGo]

Thank you for uploading

[@kguy152000]

Yes, beautiful oboe solo at mm. 151!

[@scottw6704]

Swiss figure skater Lucinda Ruh used this piece in her Worlds long program in '99...totally worth a watch - she's still the fastest spinner in the world as far as I'm aware.

[@user-ru8vy1uz7c]

Bravo bravo bravo fantastic brilliance music concerto

[@Emilien-hy3sy]

One of the most joyful concerto ever! Lovely piece

[@floor_verhaegen]

It's a wonderful concerto and as a harpist, I can only dream of performing it one day with an orchestra. Here's also an interesting fact: Half a year ago I went to see Gliere's 3rd symphony ( it was a coproduction of Belgian National Orchestra and the orchestra from La Monnaie) and I took my harp teacher with me. Afterwards we went looking for the harpists to do a little chat and Agnes Clement, the first harpist told us that she heard some parts of this concerto in the symphony. Isn't it interesting to see particular themes come back in other works from a composer?

[@floor_verhaegen]

Also, I must say I do prefer Anneleen Lenaerts' recording, she seems to put a bit more flow in certain places, for example: she takes the molto tranquillo at 15:06 in a bit of a higher tempo and I think that works out a bit better.

[@DemirSezer]

great concerto

[@DemirSezer]

2:40 note for myself

[@inugaminagayasu8847]

This is pure magick. It's like you're travelling to a fairy tale castle.

[@marfak5369]

Потрясающе! Как раз собралась это играть))

[@claraalcobe8045]

😍😍 Marvilloso.

[@solemiopauline]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤❤❤❤

[@Queeen7q]

The 1st movement is Russian Pastoral, the human feelings from the contemplation of spring in central Russia. You can see that when listening to this music, as you can see the Austrian and Hungarian nature - forests, valleys, rivers - from some Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms' works.

[@isaakhovel6559]

Did anyone else notice the similarity to Mendelssohn's "Es wird ein Stern aus Jakob aufgehen"?

[@bartjebartmans]

Interesting! The last movement the theme seems based on a folk song. I couldn't find any information on that. What place in the score did you find the Mendelssohn quote?

[@StuartSimon]

The second movement is a set of variations. Maybe he’s talking about the theme.

[@isaakhovel6559]

The first few measures of both pieces have the same charasteristic chord progression in the beginning, the same key, the string ostinati are the same, and even the melody is somewhat similar. This is what I mean.

[@shitsumeilegumovitch]

@@isaakhovel6559 Interesting. There is quite a strong similarity.

[@kerlmit1]

I found another similarity. The last movement (from measure 17 on) reminds me strongly of Händel's Air in "The Harmonious Blacksmith". Similar melody.

[@ABC_Guest]

Does the second movement remind anyone else of the opening to Brahms' 4th symphony?

[@anhtnd]

thought the same, and reminds me of some variations of the passacaglia of said symphony too

[@fritzbasset8645]

Amazing for such a melodic work to come out of the benighted Soviet Union; twenty years after the murder of the Tsar Martyr, when so much that was good in Russia died with him.

[@archibotgd9466]

23:41 - 23:49

[@counterpointenthusiast]

18:03

[@ThreadBomb]

Gliere is sadly underrated. His concertos are beautiful, his 2nd symphony is great, and his chamber music is very fine. But he is only remembered (and dismissed) for The Red Poppy, and the bloated 3rd symphony.

[@bartjebartmans]

That "bloated" 3rd Symphony is one of the masterpieces of Symphonic literature. Incredible scope, orchestration skills and vision. Even if that was the only thing he ever wrote his name would be up there with the great.

[@nogloddolgon2781]

Chef Michel représente. Tourne et retourne Qualité de l’enregistrement parfait. Hop hop hop on envoie

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It can be played on Piano too

[@DemirSezer]

practically anything on harp can be played on piano

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@DemirSezer That's because it reads in Grand Staff

[@DemirSezer]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 Actually it's because harp is played with at most 4 fingers in the range of a normal handspan, it's not hard to play 4 notes on piano ;)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@DemirSezer True & it's the same notes

[@malyesa7676]

@@DemirSezer I mean, as a harpist, we have to reach far above an octave or even a tenth for certain chords....which doesn't seem as doable on piano. Also, if I may ask, how exactly would these glissandos be playable on piano??

[@thomasleguenne8817]

Why so many adds in the middle of a movement??

[@bartjebartmans]

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[@thomasleguenne8817]

@@bartjebartmans lol

[@malyesa7676]

@@thomasleguenne8817 I have an adblocker, you should try it too