New Directions for Lever Harp in Chamber Music

Taking what is known of conventional harp, Amelia surpasses each time. Joined by an all-female cast, Amelia Romano and guests present an innovative program of original works. Included are "Serendipity" inspired by her year living in South Africa in 2010, and "Down Yonder," composed during lockdown. Having recently completed a masters in classical lever harp performance, she includes "The Swan" by Camille Saint-Saens and Piazzolla's "Oblivion" as well as premiering works written and or revised during her masters degree at San Francisco State University. Composer William Grant Still was a man of many firsts -- first colored person to composer a symphony performed by a major orchestra, first to conduct an orchestra etc. His most famous work, "Afro-American Symphony," placed jazz and classical melodies alongside one another, something unheard of in the symphonic realm of the 1950's. Composed by Still, the closing number, "Ennanga," is a rare chamber work for quartet, piano and harp. Written for harp, and in celebration of the African harp, Ennanga, honors his roots as a man of color, and celebrates the symphonic instrument he came to adore.