Virtually a Cappella-1 - CAPRICE

Harpist Caroline Calleja featured in a virtual recital from Saint Lucy Church, Santa Luċija (Gozo), the first in the Virtually a Cappella series which kicked off Gaulitana’s 14th edition.

Programme:

Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune
Christopher Muscat: Għeliem
Gabriel Pierné: Impromptu-Caprice, Op. 9
Carlos Salzedo: Rumba

Highly regarded as one of the island’s finest soloists, Caroline Calleja’s programme featured original works written for the harp during the 20th and 21st centuries, except for a transcription of Debussy’s Clair de Lune that, over the years, itself became a staple of the harp repertoire. The works highlight the instrument’s versatility from the contrasting serenity and energetic special effects of Christopher Muscat’s Għeliem, through the delicacy and virtuosity of Gabriel Pierné’s Impromptu-Caprice Op.9 to the strong rhythmic feel and brilliance of Salzedo’s Rumba.

On can follow the full recital on:

Meanwhile, Albert G. Storace’s online review reads:

GAULITANA FESTIVAL GOES ONLINE.

The Arts thrive in our islands, brimming with talent and creativity but this was badly affected by Covid-19. Most of that energy and drive had to be put on hold. However, a solution has been found by going on line. Audiences have been deprived of live performances and performers have missed the presence of a live audience. Therefore this initiative has met with widespread pleasure and appreciation.

Beginning two days ago, Gaulitana is online and goes to listeners’ homes in a series of four Wednesday evening concerts. All of them take place in sacred spaces and setting the ball rolling in this 14th edition of the Gaulitanus Festival was Caroline Calleja whose harp recital was at the church of Santa Lućija in Kerćem.

There is less than a full handful of harpists in our islands, I believe four in all and one of them is from Gozo. Caroline Calleja also happens to be a very accomplished concert and chamber pianist. In her solo recital she chose her programme well. A little over 18 minutes long, she presented four very contrasting works, three of them French and the other Maltese.

French composers have provided a very rich repertoire for the harp. The first piece was the dreamy and languidly magical ‘Claire de Lune’ by Debussy. Not originally for harp but for piano, in this arrangement the piece lost none of its charm and the moments when the intensity of the music increased these were handled with admirable restraint.

The only non-French piece was ‘Gheliem’, Maltese for sign/mark/note, composed by Christopher Muscat who is also an orchestra director and husband of the harpist. Completely new to me, I must say that it is a most pleasant piece and one I could listen to more than once because once streamed, the concerts in this Gaulitana series remain available on line. The piece is in three sections or movements in a slow/fast/slow format with all the contrasts in mood which one could expect. It was performed with a certain classy and of course different style.

It was back to France with Gabriel Pierné’s very popular ‘Impromptu-Caprice’ Op. 9, another original work. It is very richly scored warm, glowing and with a lot of verve. It felt a bit Chopinesque and possibly more Schumannesque.

This lovely recital came to an end with a piece by Carlos Salzedo, French despite his name. He was a composer of harp music and an innovator as regards technique. Caroline Calleja chose a popular piece, the colourful Rumba from Eight Dances which was performed with suitable gusto.

Email:	gaulitanus@gmail.com / gaulitanafestival@gmail.com
Phone:	(+356) 77038971 / 21560200 / 21557593

Virtually a Cappella-1 – CAPRICE

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