Harp Sheet Music By Composer - Arranger 

The second harp part for Ravel's first major symphonic work, the 1907 composition Rapsodie Espagnole. This work, inspired by the Basque folk songs Ravel heard from his mother growing up, was originally composed for two pianos, and was then orchestrated by Ravel and premiered in March of 1908.

This movement, based on the pentatonic scale, is taken from Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite" originally written as a piano duet and described as "five children's pieces." This movement "Laiderinnette, imperatrice des pagodes" (Little Ugly Girl, Empress of the Pagodas), was based on a story called "The Green Serpent." The pentatonic nature of this piece reflects the association of the far east (Pagodas) with this pentatonic sound. Ravel orchestrated this work and it has also been performed as a ballet - like much of Ravel's music it's lush beauty falls very naturally on the harp.

This piece is composed based on a whole-tone scale and is playable on both lever or pedal harp. It is a short piece using many extended techniques such as "xylophone sound", "kloster" and "tympanic sounds" to name just a few. There are no pedal or lever changes, and a few octave transpositions can make it effective on any size lever harp. Intermediate level. 4 pages.

This version of O Holy night offers an arrangement for every harpist. It includes a setting for High voice in F major, medium voice in E-flat major, D major and C major and a version for low voice in B-flat major. All include markings for both pedal and lever harp. The harp accompaniment is of "concert-quality" but is not difficult technically. The text is the original French text to Cantique de Noel. A singable English translation is included which adheres more closely to the French than the usual version. The familiar words to "O Holy Night" are also substitutable, but not included. Occasional fingerings are also included. 20 pages.

This volume by Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher is more than just your average Christmas carol arrangements. These pieces are more complex and engaging than you usual sing-along versions. Very elegant. A real treat.