Marcel Grandjany - Handel Harp Concerto

Recorded c. 1947, and issued in May, 1948
RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jean Paul Morel
1. Allegro moderato
2. Larghetto (at 04:37)
- Cadenza by Marcel Grandjany (at 08:15)
3. Allegro moderato (at 10:58)
Thanks to Bryan Bishop for allowing me to "rebroadcast" his excellent transfers. You can find this and many other wonderful selections and information at his website: shellackophile.... and KZbin channel, shellackophile.
Marcel Georges Lucien Grandjany (September 3, 1891 -- February 24, 1975) was a French-born American harpist and composer.
Marcel Grandjany began the study of the harp at the age of eight with Henriette Renié. He was admitted to the Paris Conservatoire at age eleven where he also studied with Alphonse Hasselmans, winning the coveted Premier Prix at age thirteen. At seventeen he made his debut with the Concerts Lamoureux Orchestra, and gave his first solo recital, winning immediate acclaim. He appeared with Maurice Ravel in Paris in 1913. His London debut was in 1922 and his New York debut in 1924. He appeared as soloist with major orchestras under the direction of Pierné, Cortot, Damrosch, Koussevitsky, Szell, Reiner and Golschmann among others.
From 1921 to 1926 Grandjany headed the harp department of the Fontainebleau Summer School. He moved to the United States in 1926 and was appointed head of the harp department at the Juilliard School of Music in 1938 where he taught until his death in 1975, with the exception of several years during the 1940s when he was on the faculty of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. He also taught at the Manhattan School of Music from 1956-1967. Notable students include American harpist and educator Eileen Malone.
At the First International Harp Contest in Israel in 1959, Pierre Jamet of France proposed the formation of an international association of harpists. Grandjany undertook to see what he could do in the United States and chaired a committee of leading harpists. The Founding Committee met for the first time on December 3, 1962 in Mr. Grandjany's apartment. Over the years, he was a member of the Board of Directors, Regional Director, Chapter Chairman and President of the New York Chapter. He generously performed at AHS conferences; in 1964 at the first conference and in 1967, a solo recital which was his last public performance. He supported the educational goals of the Society vigorously and delighted in the American Harp Society's growth and community.

[@brucenicholls854]

I love these older recordings,without the modern enhanced recording techniques.Beatifully played too!

[@2ndviolinist]

I agree about the playing. I am glad you liked it and thanks for listening.

[@jimbuxton2187]

Listen to that velvety sound and perfect articulation and clean playing! One of the greatest harpists in history. His signs was legendary!

[@miguelleiton3645]

Bella y delicada expresion de una hermosa obra......!!!!!!!! GRACIAS POR SUBIRLA.....!!!!

[@DCFunBud]

This performance is unlike any I have heard before for this concerto.

[@2ndviolinist]

That's great. Grandjany is a fine one to listen to. Good luck! Doug

[@alleschwartz4821]

Thanks so much for reposting. I just found my old sheets on this. Something to work on during the lockdown.

[@2ndviolinist]

You're most welcome. I'm glad that this will keep you from getting bored. Thanks for listing.

[@philipchretienkarlsson8157]

Is this the first complete recording of this famous concerto? I do agree: Marcel Grandjany sound is incredibly smooth and clear at the same time...

[@123must]

Very very nice ! Thanks

[@kyunghakim3902]

gian paolo Puglisi thank u for handel~~!

[@rashedly]

oh Marcel you are such a maniac.

[@Kievest]

Heavenly! Bravo!

[@2ndviolinist]

+TIMELESS TREASURES I most heartily agree. I'm very glad this recording exists.

[@Kievest]

2ndviolinist So kind of you to post this rare and priceless gem! Best Regards, Candy

[@2ndviolinist]

+TIMELESS TREASURES You're most welcome. Thank you for listening.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

It's interesting to note the traditional interpretive elements, such as the ritardandos at the end of each section, which come as a relief. He has a basically warm sound. Note the promotional advertisement where they had to insert the word "probably" before trying to say he was the greatest master of the harp, which otherwise would have been a complete lie. He could never touch Salzedo in that department. In his own way, he had a mastery of the instrument.

[@2ndviolinist]

He was great. As far as the best is concerned it could be Ms. Dilling. Thank you for listening.

[@seanduchinsky2632]

@@2ndviolinist i do not agree with either of you. there were far too many harpists to single out just one. each had their own strengths-dilling was great, grandjany produced a remarkably supple sound, zabaleta was incredible but i found his sound a bit dry. olga erdeli was prodigiously talented as well. salzedo was extremely talented, but his music, towards the end of his life, was really astringent.

[@jimbuxton2187]

none....Haha that is not true. Just listen to how buzzy Salzedo's recordings are. Salzedo was great but he doesn't touch Grandjany for tone and clean playing... not to mention the differences in color that Grandjany used.

[@jimbuxton2187]

@@2ndviolinist...Dilling was indeed very fine. I loved her playing and classy demeanor....

[@jobolfing5217]

One if the greatest harpist to ever live