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Mother's Day to the tunes of the harp To real music lovers, a harp recital is usually irresistible. When given by a talented artist, it turns out to be a real delight
On Monday 21 March, harpist Mona Wassef indulged the small - alas -audience at Cairo Opera House, Small Hall, with a colourful programme. She offered a journey through Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist and Jazz music, introducing some of the most eminent figures in the world of classical harp music. The captivating start, with Granados' warm Spanish Dance no. 5 (Andalusia), was followed by the delicate Spanish Dance no. 2 (Oriental). Played with touching sensitivity, it was dedicated to one of the martyrs of the 25 January revolution, Ziad Bakir. The subtle sound of the harp and Mrs Wassef's impeccable nimble fingers added elegance and grace to the lively baroque Toccata by Jean-Baptiste Loeillet, an 18th century Belgian composer, and to the Sonata no. 6 by Nadermann, a 19thcentury French composer. All time favourite, Granada by Albeniz, originally composed for the piano and mostly played on guitar, is always met with enthusiasm by the audience. Carlos Salzedo's (1888 - 1961) two impressionist pieces: La Desirade and Song of the Night demonstrated his particular style and innovative techniques. Salzedo, a French composer, harpist and conductor, is a pioneer of 20th century music. He hasinfluenced many composers like Ginastera and Persichetti, among manyothers.Salzedo created new musical approaches and techniques, designed harps and founded harp programmes in major musical institutions in the United States, where he spent part of his life. One of the most beautiful pieces ever written for the harp is Hasselmans' La Source (The Wellspring). With Wassef's finesse and musicality, one can easilyvisualise the pure, fresh water spurting from the ground, flowing through the green grass in the serene, morning light. Alphonse Hasselmans (1845 – 1912), a French composer, harpist and teacher, is credited with reviving interest in the harp and establishing the French school of harp-playing. His compositions are known to be technically challenging. When the gentle instrumentwent wild and witty, as in the last two pieces of the recital: Tournier's Jazz Band and Spencer Williams' famous Basin Street Blues, the resultwas delightful andenergising. But Wassef wasn't the only protagonist of the evening. She was accompanied by a guest musician, 7 year-old violinist Omar El Serafi,her ownson. In three pieces: Bayly's Long, Long Ago, J. S. Bach Minuet 2 and Lully's Gavotte for violin and harp, Omar, at ease, displayed his promising talents: excellent technical skills for his age, correct phrasing and fine musicality. Born into a musical family, Omar is a student in the Suzuki class for violin at the Cairo Opera House. This perfect partnership between mother and son on Mothers' Day was particularly charming. Mona Wassef is an assistant harp teacher at the Cairo Conservatory and has been a member of the Cairo Symphony Opera since 1998. She was awarded a scholarship from the University of Arizona and won the first prize in the Ministry of Culture Harp Competition in 2003. She performed as a soloist at the inauguration of the Tutankhamen museum in Austria in 2008. In 2009 she received a Masters in Arts, with the highest honours. .
