Customer Reviews

The Harp of Luduvíco: Fantasias, Arias and Toccatas by Frescobaldi and His Predecessors - Andrew Lawrence-King

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This CD was my introduction to Andrew Lawrence-King. I think I bought it mostly because of its title! Now, I regard the modern orchestral harp as a pretty boring solo instrument, but the sounds Andrew draws from his copies of old harps--instruments made entirely of wood and strung with gut--are often nothing short of spine-tingling. He is a very passionate and sensitive musician, undoubtedly one of the world's finest instrumentalists.

This is an incredible selection of music which is masterfully presented by Andrew Lawrence-King. Mr. Lawrence-King has selected works from Spanish 16th century harpists and then traces the movement of these influences to Naples and Southern Italy in the works of 5 Italian harpists.

Whereas the title refers to Luduvico, all 7 of these harpists were followers of Ludovico, ending with the works of Frescobaldi, a renouned harpists in Rome.

The works are superb, complex, meditative, uplifting, and captivating. Andrew Lawrence-King built or had built wooden harps with non-metal strings to try to capture the sound of these original compositions. The effect is fantastic, with a warmth akin to the lute, with none of the metalic twang of some modern orchestral harpists.

I have owned this CD for around 15 years and I often pull it out to absorb its radiance one more time.

The Harp of Luduvico has been reissued on Helios, Hyperion's budget label; perhaps it will have nine-lives...

this is fantastic for relaxing and enjoying a more elegant lifestyle of the ancient world you would do best if you like aristocratic enjoyments this is the cd for you.. it is so smooth and elegant there is not too much i can say but utterly fantastic i put it on and let it go and play over and over again it works very well for social evenings as a beautifull back drop for any assembling of friends and company in your home .. and is a very romantique back drop light all the candels break out the wine or champagne and enjoy this beautifull arrangement ..