Lavinia Meijer: Fantasies & Impromptus

Lavinia Meijer, harp

G. Pierné (1863-1937): Impromptu-Caprice, Op.9
L. Spohr (1784-1859): Fantaisie, Op. 35 / Variations on 'Je suis encore dans mon printemps', Op. 36
C. Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Fantaisie, Op. 95
G. Fauré (1845-1924): Impromptu, Op. 86 / Une châtelaine en sa tour..., Op. 110
G. Verdalle (1845 - 1912): 2nd Impromptu*
J. Snoer (1868-1936): Fantasie über das* Niederländische Volkslied "Wien Neerlandsch bloed"
A. Roussel (1869-1937): Impromptu, Op. 21
R. Glière (1875-1956): Impromptu

o TWO WORLD PREMIERES ON CD *!
What prompts a composer to write fantasies and impromptus? And what do the fantasy, a free form, and the impromptu, originally an improvised poem, have in common? We know that Spohr was inspired by a young harpist who was later to become his wife. But did Fauré, as director of the Paris Conservatory, simply have no option than to write, because a compulsory solo piece was required for the harp class examinations? Was the marine officer Roussel influenced by his travels to distant shores? And were the fantasias by Saint-Saëns inspired by his great love of the Arab world?
We can sometimes only guess. What we do know is that the harp has always appealed to the imagination, and that both fantasies and impromptus have inspired many composers to give free rein to their creative powers. (...)
Lavinia Meijer ( liner notes)
On her third CD for Channel Classics, the harpist Lavinia Meijer (28) has brought together popular Fantasies and Impromptus by Spohr, Fauré, Pierné, Saint-Saëns, Roussel and Glière. Added to these are world premieres on CD of two completely forgotten harpist-composers: Johannes Snoer (1868-1936) and Gabriel Verdalle (1845-1912).
On her first and very successful CD for Channel Classics, 'Divertissements', Lavinia Meijer also recorded only compositions originally written for the harp, with works by Carlos Salzedo, André Caplet and Jacques Ibert. On her highly commended CD 'Visions' she presented twentieth-century repertoire, with works by Byrnes, Isang Yun and Takemitsu, in addition to Britten and Patterson.
Lavinia Meijer graduated cum laude at the Amsterdam Conservatory in 2005. She was awarded the Netherlands Music Prize in 2009.

Price: $24.98