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Classical Album of the Week: Harpist Elizabeth Hainen at Home

August 6, 2018.  Our album of the week explores the pleasures and comforts of home through the beauty of the harp played by Elizabeth Hainen, principal harp of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Released in 2017, her album Home gives listeners an intimate taste of wide-ranging repertoire, from Couperin to Sting—music she turns to when she’s playing at home.
Hainen draws sweeping color from her instrument in Grandjany’s “The Colorado Trail,” and exotic poignancy in a Chinese folk song, “Amid Flowers, Beside the River, Under a Spring Moon,” arranged by Zhe-Zhi Xie.

 “Cycling Along with Me,” by Daryl Sherman, arranged by Eleanor Fell is a mesmerizing selection that strikes an atmospheric tone.  

The Baroque period is elegantly represented in short selections by Handel, Rameau, and Couperin, as well as J.S. Bach, in arrangements by Hainen, Saint-Saëns, and Renié.

Finally, yes—it’s Sting. The pop artist’s “St. Agnes and the Burning Train” is arranged by Hainen’s husband, percussionist David DePeters, who joins her on vibraphone in this selection from the rock world. They also perform together in DePeters’ arrangement of Claude Debussy’s “Clair de lune.”

If you enjoy the harp, you’ll savor each work on Elizabeth Hainen’s Home.

 

Debra's last day on the air at WRTI was September 21st, 2021. She's now the radio host for The Metropolitan Opera. Read more here.