The comparativist

To a crowd of about 150 musical aficionados, harpist Jess Hughes offered a delightful and lengthy concert earlier today, part of Christ Church’s Midweek Music programme. The performed pieces were: «Automne», by Marcel Grandjany; «A French Air with Variations», by Sophia Giustina Corri; «Impromptu-Caprice, Op. 9», by Gabriel Pierné; «Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn», by Traditional arr. John Thomas; «La Madone», by Caroline Lizotte; «Sonatine pour harpe, Op. 30: II. Calme et expressif», by Marcel Tournier; «Toccata», by Guillaume Connesson; «Mystérieux Vallon», by Félix Godefroid; «The Cry of the Flamingos», by Şirin Pancaroğlu. Except the Pierné and the Connesson, these are all pieces written by primarily performing harpists, and that is, perhaps, the one common denominator amongst them. I particularly enjoyed the Sophia Corri Dussek and the traditional Welsh piece, «Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn». Both elegantly showcased Hughes’ speed and clarity in separating the leading voice that emerges from...