Encounterpoint: A solo recital of contrapuntal repertoire on lever harp

In the broadest sense, harp repertoire famously highlights textural pattern, floating melodies and chordal colour across its registers. However, linear writing and counterpoint is far more rare in harp repertoire, since it demands a clearer texture, careful handling of resonance and luminous lines. This concert programme shines a light on a much neglected aspect of harp performance and repertoire, namely fugal and contrapuntal writing. Ranging from works by John Dowland, Clara Wieck, Giuseppe Verdi, Joseph Groocock and others, this lever harp recital illustrates the different approaches of composers hundreds of years apart, each with widely varying aesthetics, and in so doing, further pushes the boundaries of the capacity of the lever harp.