I’m still buzzing from the world premiere of my new Harp Concerto! An absolutely beautiful and commanding performance by harpist Emily Granger and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Umberto Clerici. It was so special to share this moment with many friends and loved ones, some of whom travelled far to be there. I loved every moment of this great opportunity, and look forward to the studio recording later in the year with ABC Classic.
Here’s a review of the work and performance. Some highlights:
Writing a harp concerto carries the inherent risk of submerging the soloist, yet Coelho’s deft scoring avoids that pitfall. Soloistic fragments flicker against quick-draw orchestral responses, ensuring clarity and momentum.
Granger’s playing is generously communicative and easeful, and she clearly relishes stepping from the orchestral ranks into the spotlight – a move warmly supported by her colleagues’ attentive commitment.
In Monoliths, inspired by Yosemite’s vast granite formations, the harp erupts from an orchestral maelstrom. Granger’s brutal, accented strikes dispell any lingering cliché of angelic ripples and soothing broken chords. Those familiar textures appear, but subverted – syncopated, sharpened, made muscular. Coelho has described imagining “the harp as a warrior doing battle with the orchestra”, and the metaphor rings true.
The concerto’s orchestration proves equally compelling. While the harp dominates, Coelho distributes soloistic moments generously: concertmaster Natsuko Yoshimoto, Nick Mooney (French horn), Irit Silver (clarinet), Hayley Radke (flute) and Phoebe Russell (double bass) all contribute tellingly. Extended techniques and shifts between dissonant and tonal language create vivid contrasts. The tranquil Silken Stream offers lyrical respite, while the finale, Chasing the Light, is a rhythmically charged romp demanding razor-sharp precision. Overall, the concerto emerges as a transporting, expertly crafted addition to the repertoire – a showcase not only for harp but for the orchestra’s full expressive range.