Harp players and composers from Catalonia

We have good harp players in Catalonia, as we have composers who, with a more or less realistic awareness of the instrument’s possibilities, have composed works for it. But in fact, harp composers are practically non-existent in Catalonia outside the field of folkloric and ancient music - without wishing to overlook either of these two genres, rather to bear in mind that the harp does not have a tradition as a popular instrument in Catalonia. In any case, there remains no doubt that the Catalan repertoire is lacking ambitious works for harp that are composed for specialists of this instrument.

Furthermore, it would not hurt if the Catalan Association of Harpists (with twenty years behind them) had the good idea of creating a website or another kind of space on the Internet where we might be able to find information about their activities and where they could share their experience with harp fans and professionals.

Galceran Marti

Harp in Catalonia

It seems as though harp-related activity is starting to show signs of good health in Catalonia. We should highlight the International Harp Festival of Sentmenat, directed by luthier Germán Ocaña.

This year marks the second year of the event, which will be held from the 19^th to the 21^st June, calling artists of all styles from all over the world. We have to hope that this festival will revitalise the interest for this instrument in Catalonia.