As one of the world’s most renowned harp soloists and a passionate champion of new music for her instrument, Yolanda Kondonassis presents a comprehensive guide and conversational text on composing idiomatically for the harp in her work, The Composers Guide to Writing Well for the Modern Harp
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The book features 22 detailed chapters on a full spectrum of topics, such as:
- navigating the harp’s pedal system
- idiomatic technical configurations
- symbols and practical notation
- register, volume, and resonance
- tempo and context
- traditional and extended contemporary effects with notation
- props, electro-acoustics, and media integration
“Composing well for the harp isn’t easy, but it doesn’t need to be as hard as it looks,” according to Kondonassis. “This is not a collection of rules and formulas — it’s an honest conversation and a clear explanation of as many scenarios as possible, along with a hearty dose of solid advice.”
