I just happen to find out that there was a review of my Cd ( recorded in 2018), in the Dutch Classic Music Magazine ” Luister” in 2024. https://www.luister.nl/spohr3-sonatas-for-harp-violinmasumi-nagasawa-harp-cecilia-bernardini-viool

Recensie SPOHR – 3 Sonatas for Harp & Violin

• 30 januari 2024

SPOHR
3 Sonatas for Harp & Violin
Masumi Nagasawa (harp), Cecilia Bernardini (viool)
BIS Records BIS-2302 • DDD-75’
Waardering: 8

Wat doet een jonge componist als hij verliefd is? Dan schrijft hij een duo voor zichzelf en zijn geliefde zodat ze samen muziek kunnen maken. Dit klinkt wel erg romantisch, maar zo geschiedde het voor de jonge Louis Spohr en harpiste Dorette Scheidler. Spohr schreef verschillende sonates voor viool en harp, waarvan deze cd er drie bevat. Vanuit historisch oogpunt zijn de sonates relevant omdat zowel de harp als de viool in deze periode, begin negentiende eeuw, een aantal belangrijke technische veranderingen ondergingen. Deze harppartij is een van de laatste stukken die geschreven zijn voor de ‘single-action pedal harp’, terwijl de vioolpartij een van de eerste werken is waarbij de mogelijkheden van de ‘moderne viool’ worden gebruikt. Nagasawa en Bernardini hebben voor deze opname intensief samengewerkt met professor Clive Brown om zo dicht mogelijk bij het muzikale idee van Spohr te komen. De vele aantekeningen die Spohr zelf maakte in de vioolpartij, waaronder weinig vibrato en veel bijzondere strijktechnieken, worden door Bernardini zorgvuldig opgevolgd. Daarnaast draagt ook de originele ‘single-action pedal harp’, die door Nagasawa wordt bespeeld, bij aan de bijzondere en mooie interpretatie. De cd, de bekroning van het intensieve onderzoek, is zeer waardevol voor de historische uitvoeringspraktijk.
Ella Botter

TRANSLATION in ENGLISH:

What does a young composer do when he’s in love?
He writes a duet for himself and his beloved so they can make music together. It may sound very romantic, but that is exactly what happened with the young Louis Spohr and harpist Dorette Scheidler. Spohr wrote several sonatas for violin and harp, three of which are included on this CD.

From a historical point of view, the sonatas are significant because both the harp and the violin underwent important technical developments during this period — the early nineteenth century. The harp part is one of the last pieces written for the single-action pedal harp, while the violin part is one of the first works to utilize the capabilities of the modern violin.

Nagasawa and Bernardini worked closely with Professor Clive Brown for this recording to get as close as possible to Spohr’s musical intentions. The many annotations that Spohr himself made in the violin part — including minimal vibrato and many unusual bowing techniques — are carefully followed by Bernardini. Additionally, the original single-action pedal harp, played by Nagasawa, contributes to the unique and beautiful interpretation.

The CD, the culmination of intensive research, is highly valuable for the practice of historically informed performance. ——reviewed by Ella Botter

I’m thrilled to share the release of my new CD, NUANCE!

This recording brings to life standards from the 18th- and 19th-century harp repertoire, performed on two exquisite historical Naderman harps from 1771 and 1815. I hope I may awaken new inspiration to fellow harpists and offer fresh perspectives.

Above all, this music is a heartfelt offering—to all my dear listeners, with warmth and gratitude.

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After meeting the lovely harpist Heidi Awuy in Jakarta, she kindly gave me the opportunity to teach some of her students. It was a true pleasure to hear Indonesian harpists! I’m already looking forward to returning. Thank you, Heidi, for organizing everything on such short notice!

First ever experience in Singapore!

This summer, I had the privilege of giving two masterclasses (each with around 20 students!) and leading a workshop at the Rave Harp Academy, led by the wonderful dynamic harpist Katryna Tan. It was truly inspiring to meet so many young, talented musicians and hear them perform. I was also honored to serve on the jury for the International Prestigious Award Harp Competition in the harp ensemble category. Hopefully I may hear the young harp talents again, and who knows if I will be back in Singapore in the near future!! With much respect to Katryna’s establishment!!

I had the privilege of attending Vienna Harp Days 2025 in the beautiful city of Vienna.

My heartfelt thanks to Elisabeth Plank — a wonderful harpist and a truly exceptional organiser — for making this event such a memorable experience.

Due to unexpected circumstances, I had less than a week to prepare for the opening concert. Despite the tight schedule, it turned into an exciting challenge, and I thoroughly enjoyed performing a duet with Elisabeth!

I was also delighted to see so many enthusiastic students at my presentation on Spohr and during the workshop sessions.

Yes — my mission to bring music to life continues!

The annual harp mastercourse, beautifully organised by Manja Smits, took place once again in the serene setting of La Roche sur Foron, France. This year, we welcomed an international group — with many young students from China joining us, alongside participants from the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium.

It was an intense and inspiring week of hard work, culminating in a delightful final concert that was warmly received by an enthusiastic audience.

The new CD by La Nouvelle Athènes, recorded at the historic château of Malmaison, has just been released. It captures moments from our concert last May, where I had the pleasure of performing in duo with the gifted pianist and organist Sebastien Bausch. Among the highlights is our interpretation of the lyrical second movement from Jan Ladislav Dussek’s Duo Concertante, Op. 73 — a work that resonates with both intimacy and elegance.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sFsa3dr0Beq3qy-MKeJ6mYK83AuBIjmS/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IsPsNSBUdJFPKZQr_pdzUnmKLdHTeMKl/view?usp=sharing

I am annually invited to the conservatory in Zwolle, ArtEZ, to present a Masterclass. It is truly a pleasure to hear the students there integrate historical fingerings with my musical input!
I am genuinely grateful to the harp teacher, Manja Smits, for believing my insight from years ago.

I am super happy with the teaching job in Detmold University of Music and Antwerp Royal conservatory.

I cannot wish more to have the luxury of teaching regularly as a guest teacher for both schools’ 18th and 19th-century harp literature. Occasionally, I have my chance to share my knowledge of contemporary music since I have a long history of playing avant-garde music! Recently, I worked with my students, Petrassi, Hosokawa, and Takemitsu! It is always a pleasure to have varied music.

Thank you for Godelieve Schrama and Miriam Overlach, who appointed me!

I have been privileged to have been invited as the jury of the Professional Category.

Wonderful Jury members; Norio Sato (Guitar) , Tomoko Iwashita (Flute) ,Katryna Tan, Mari Kimura, Etsuko Chida and Eri Matsumura