ELIAS PARISH ALVARS (1808-1849): Harp Concerto in G Minor, Op. 81, FRANÇOIS-ADRIEN BOIELDIEU (1775-18384): Harp Concerto in C, GIOVANNI BATTISTA VIOTTI (1755-1824): Harp Concerto in C Minor (after Violin Concerto No. 19; arr. Marielle Nordmann [b.1941]).

Description: Known in his time as "the Liszt of the harp", the Englishman Parish Alvars wrote four concertos for his instrument, the one here being the second, from 1842. It's a full-length (29-minutes) romantic concerto with some bel canto flavor and requiring an outstanding virtuoso to play. The "Viotti" is a bit complicated: it's the second movement of his 19th violin concerto in a version for piano made by Daniel Steibelt whose keyboard part the harpist here has adapted for her instrument. Marielle Nordmann (harp), Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra; Jean-Pierre Rampal. Original 1995 Sony release.