Novelette
for harp

The construction of the harp tends to 'resist' the super-chromaticism of some of the styles of the music of 20th century. Actually, every set-up of the harp's pedals constitutes a mode, expressing both the harmony and the melody hidden within it. The limitations of modes, as well as a need to fully exploit the musical possibilities of every mode before moving on to the next one. As it is always in art - limitations and constraints bring inspiration The nature of the harp's construction challenged me to seek a way of expression within a mode musical language - in which Novelette is written. The work's name, drawn from the 19th century 'character pieces', expresses a need for communication, i.e. for expressing new musical ideas by means of well known musical elements and gestures. Novelette, therefore, is a short retrospective 'character piece' which is written not so much 'for the harp' as for the harpist - with an intention to enable the performer to demonstrate his/her musical artistic abilities concerning sound, technique, rhetoric and expression. (Composer's note)