LES SONGES DE L'ARC OP. 270

Sheet music for solo celtic harp

When Hélène Breschand and her colleagues asked me to write pieces suitable for young harpists, I took up the challenge with enthusiasm. I had written several pieces for, or with harp, before but on this ocasion I was particularly careful to double-check the proficiency level required for performing these two sets of 7 pieces. I am grateful for Hélène's precious advice.
The 7 pieces in this first volume are aimed at first cycle students - including beginners ( music schools and conservatoires). They are written for harps without pedals but can also be performed on the big harp. Dedicated to Hélène Breschand, Laurence Bancaud and Ghislaine Petit- Volta, members of 'Les signes de l'arc' association.
The second set of pieces, grouped under the title 7 Preludes, is aimed at second-cycle students and designed for pedal harp. They are dedicated to Hélène Breschand and Anne Ricquebourg. The decision to write 7 pieces in each set is the result of a chain of thought. The bow shape of the primitive harp made me think of the rainbow and its 7 colors. Besides, '7' also refers to our 7-note music scale. Rainbows, of course, but Nature in general is a frequent source of inspiration*: like Natures infinite variety, the harp's palette of tonal variations is almost limitless and may be experienced even at beginner's level. Ivane Béatrice BELLOCQ