Spirit of Harp

„Spirit of Harp“ bietet eine Vielfalt an Stilen und doch die unverwechselbare Musik von Monika Stadler. Die Spieltechnik wird erweitert und das Repertoire der Harfenmusik abseits der Klischees bereichert. Inspiration waren unterschiedlichste Stimmungen (Thankful, Dear to My Heart, Entschleunigungswalzer), die Natur (Libellenflug, Spirit of Air), die Musik in Wales (Song of the Welsh Hills), der Impressionismus  (Avenue Classique), der Jazz (Take a Break, Everything will be All Right), meditative Musik (I Look at the Candle, Gebetsmühle) und der Tango (Tango del Pasado).

Libellenflug, Song of the Welsh Hills, Take a Break, Thankful, Avenue Classique, I Look at the Candle, Dear to My Heart, Everything Will Be Alright, Bohemian Waltz (Entschleunigungswalzer), Tibetische Gebetsmühle (The Prayer Wheel), Tango del Pasado, Spirit of Air

"Monika Stadlers Stücke sind wunderschön strukturiert - fließende musikalische Reisen glänzen über ihre meisterhaften Improvisationen. Die Melodien sind beruhigend, erhebend. Jedes Stück hat ein eigenes expressives Gefühl und hat außerdem die seltene Qualität, sowohl meditativ als auch einladend zu sein. Ihre Musik weckt viele Emotionen, von kontemplativ und mystisch über "bluesig", warm und gefühlvoll bis zu einem entspannenden und jazzigen Swing. (Silvia Woods Harp Center, USA) This attractive and well-presented anthology is comprised of short compositions in a range of styles and incorporating jazz, Latin, classical and folk idioms. lt also appeals to a broad church of performers, as the book caters for pedal, lever and single action harps (which is still a popular folk instrument in Southern Germany, Austria and Northern Italy). By turns expressive, sweetly nostalgic and upbeat, these pieces are excellent material for freshening programmes, for encores and for when something extra special is called for. On the other hand, I recently played The Dragonfly on a memorial programme, for which it was beautifully suited. I find it is also excellent instructional material, and your reasonably advanced students (grades 5 and 6+) will love this introduction to jazzy techniques (such as a pedal slides and kicks). Monika has also made it possible to download a recording of each composition from her website for free, a great tool for those new to the style. Additionally, each composition has a colourful explanation of it’s conception and imagery. An excellent addition to any harpist’s library. Highly recommended. ALEXANDER RIDER (Harp Magazine Autumn 2014)