Pedal coupler
The 8′ Flauto traverso stop had a so-called “espressivo” effect, i.e., its volume varied with the pressure on the key.
Odoyevsky often held musical gatherings where musicians such as Mikhail Glinka improvised on the instrument. The prince himself was known for occasionally improvising fugues based on themes from Russian folksongs. In addition to an active performing life, he is also reputed to be the first Russian musicologist,
5 having copied out music from the Italian Renaissance and organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, collected Russian folksongs, and published articles discussing musical trends of the past and of his time.
Southern Illinois Music Festival performances scheduled in Anna
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Classical home listening: Angela Hewitt and a recital rarity
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Harp Dreams
I cannot remember the first time I took notice of a harp, but I must have been a very small child. In those days, it was not uncommon to see a symphony orchestra on television, and my eyes invariably went to the harp, the most exotic-looking thing on the stage, at least until the long-haired conductor came to the podium. The harp would usually be given its turn to shine, both visually and musically, in a fantastical waterfall of tones.
And then there was “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” a segment of Disney’s 1947 film “Fun and Fancy Free,” with its Golden Harp character a beautiful, singing woman whose back was somehow attached to the column of a harp. The role was beautifully sung by a popular teen star of the day, Anita Gordon. What a mesmerizing instrument! Famous for the harp, of course, was also Harpo Marx, one of the Marx Brothers comedy team, who wasn’t faking it! He could actually play the harp pretty well.