the 17th International Harp Contest in Israel
50th Anniversary
will take place
6-20 October 2009
The International Harp Contest in Israel 50 Years
(1959-2009)
"Take up the melody and sound the timbre, the sweet harp
with the psaltery"
(Psalms, 81,3)
The International Harp Contest in Israel will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2009.
The Contest, the first competition in the world to be held for the harp, was launched in 1959 by A.Z. Propes, a member of Prime Minister Ben Gurion's staff. At that time he was responsible for organizing Israel’s Tenth Anniversary celebrations. When he inquired which instrument did not have an international competition, the harp was mentioned. Propes decided at once that the instrument so closely identified with King David would be chosen.
The harp’s origins are indeed in the Middle East. Ancient harps, over 3000 years old were found in Iraq (the ancient Mesopotamia), in Egypt and in Megiddo, in Ancient Israel.
The First Jury, in the year 1959, made up of the great harpists ever, among them:
Frank Peleg (Israel), Marcel Grandjany (USA), Piere Jamet (France), Phia Berghout (The Netherlands), Paul Ben- Haim (Israel), Lucille Johnson (USA), Carlos Salzedo (France), Nicanor Zabaleta (Spain), Joseph Tal (Israel), Clelia Gatti Aldrovandi (Italy), Aharon Z. Propes -
Director (Israel)
Propes met with the best harpists in the world, discussed the existing repertoire and asked them to serve as members of the Jury. To this day, the International Jury is made up of harpists and musicians of world fame.
The Contest Board has also encouraged writing of music for the harp. It commissions an Israel work for each contest, and the Propes Prize is awarded for the best presentation.
Since 1959, the Contest in Israel has taken place every three years. The 17th Contest will take place in the 50th Anniversary year.
All the 15 First Prize winners (2 men and 13 women) have done extremely well in their careers. At the last contest in 2006, for the first time, the winner was an Israeli, Mr. Sivan Magen.
Prize Winners of 1959 – among them:
Ms. Susanna Mildonian, First Prize Winner, in 1959
(if you find yourself in these photos, please contact the International Harp Contest in Israel)
The celebrations will open with a Gala Concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on October 6th 2009 at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv. A great number of past First Prize winners will play with the Orchestra at this festive occasion. On its 50th anniversary the Harp Contest will salute the City of Tel Aviv on its 100th'
The Contest is grateful to the Israel Government, the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Lyon & Healy, foundations and individuals in Israel and abroad for their continuing and steadfast support.
Although the International Harp Contest in Israel is no longer the only harp competition in the world, it remains unique in its excellence and prestige and focuses world attention on Israel.
17th International Harp Contest in Israel
50th Anniversary
6-20 October 2009
Repertoire
Stage I
- D. Scarlatti
Sonata Choose one Andante and one Allegro:
Andante: K.380 in E Major or K.426 in G minor Urtext
Allegro: K.198 in E minor or K.531 in E Major Urtext
(No repeats)
- Johann Baptist Krumpholtz
Sonata I Op. 16 bis, Comme Scene Pathetique
Edited by Emanuela Degli Esposti
(No repeats)
- Israeli Composition
To Be Announced
- Carlos Salzedo
Choose one:
Variations on a theme in Ancient Style (Complete version)
OR
Scintillation
Stage II
- J.S. Bach:
Suite in C-Minor BWV 997
I. Prelude
II. Sarabande
III. Gigue
Transcription for harp by Cristiana Passerini from version
for harpsichord by J.F. Agricola
Fuga will not be performed
(No repeats)
- Paul Hindemith:
Sonate für Harfe
I. Màssig schnell
II. Lebhaft
III. Lied
- Free Choice
Contemporary Piece
Composed after 1975; duration not less than 5 nor more than 7 minutes;
Preferably by a composer from the contestant’s own country)
- Henriette Renié
Piece Symphonique en trio èpisodes
I Marche Funèbre II Appassionata III Transfigure
Stage III Semi-final
- L. Von Beethoven
Serenade - Trio for flute, viola, harp
Entrata Allegro
Tempo ordinario d’un Minuetto
Allegro molto
Allegro scherzando e vivace
Adagio
Allegro vivace disinvolto
Adaptation for harp from original Trio for flute, violin, viola by Ami Ma'ayani
Andante con variazioni will not be performed
Repeats to be announced
- Andre Caplet:
Mask of the Red Death Conte Fantastique
Quintet for harp and String Quartet
Final Stage
- Alberto Ginastera
Concerto for harp and orchestra Op. 25
I. Allegro giusto
II. Molto moderato
III. Cadenza, Liberamente capriccioso, Vivace
- Free choice obligatory encore
(May not exceed 5 minutes duration;
Must not be original for harp
Note:
All works are to be performed from memory except Chamber works in Stage III
Publishers:
Johann Baptist Krumpholtz:
Sonata I Op.16 bis, Comme Scene Pathetique
Edited by Emanuela Degli Esposti
Ut Orpheus Edizioni
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana1
40126 Bologna, Italy
Telephone: +39-051-226 468
Fax: +39-051-263720
E-mail:
info@utorpheus.com
www.utorpheus.com
J.S. Bach: Suite in C-Minor BWV 997
Transcription for harp by Cristiana Passerini from version for harpsichord by J.F. Agricola
Rugginenti Editore
Via dei Fontanili 3
20141 Milan, Italy
telephone: +39-02-895 01283
Fax: +39-02-895 31273v
Email:
gianni@rugginenti.it
Website:
www.rugginenti.it
Henriette Renié:
Piece Symphonique en trios èpisodes
anderbilt Music Company
312-A South Swain Ave.
P.O.Box 456, Bloomington, Indiana 47402 USA
Toll free: 800-533-7200 Outside USA: 812-333-5255
Fax: 812-333-5257
E-mail:
harp@vanderbiltmusic.com
Website:
http://www.vanderbiltmusic.com
L. Von Beethoven : Serenade - Trio for flute, viola, harp
Adaptation for harp from original Trio for flute, violin, viola by Ami Ma'ayani
FONS Music Foundation
Sivann Zelikoff, Artistic Director
Tel. +972-3-604 7962
+972-54-2060756
Fax: + 972-3-604 0735
Email
sivzel@hotmail.com