 |
| Glass Harp playing Sugar Plum Fairy |
This "glass duo" is from Poland and were playing at the Chamber Music Festival in Bologna, Italy in June of 2010.
Both of these musicians were trained on traditional instruments, the violin and the trumpet. The Glass Duo was founded by Anna and Arkadiusz Szafraniec. They are the only glass music group in Poland, one of few professional ensembles worldwide. They have brought their glass music to the stages of many renowned concert halls.
Here is some further information about the Glass Duo.
What is the range of your instrument?
It is now nearly five octaves, which, as far as we know, makes their instrument the biggest glass harp in the world.
What is the origin of the term "glass harp"?
The term was coined by Bruno Hoffman, the greatest promoter of glass music in 20th century. He created the term because of its resemblance to the aeolian harp. It is controversial, whether or not using such a term is justified. Nevertheless, it has become popular among other performers, so that is why they also use it. The Glass Duo personally like the term coined by Richard Pockridge, who called the set of "singing wine glasses" The Angelic Organ.
How many musicians perform on glass instruments nowadays?
The Glass harp is quite rare today and only few musicians maintain its tradition throughout the world. In Poland there is only one professional group - The Glass Duo. More popular is the glass harmonica. Although it is more comfortable for the performer, in the Duo's opinion, it is not as inspiring, not as expressive as the glass harp.
The Glass harp is quite rare today and only few musicians maintain its tradition throughout the world. In Poland there is only one professional group - The Glass Duo. More popular is the glass harmonica. Although it is more comfortable for the performer, in the Duo's opinion, it is not as inspiring, not as expressive as the glass harp.
Where does their repertoire come from?
There are many original works composed especially for glass instrument, for example by such masters as Mozart or Beethoven. They have several such works in their repertoire, but they try to promote glass music not only with original literature, but rather with their favorite pieces of music. They play mostly their own arrangements, but also works composed especially for them by other composers.
There are many original works composed especially for glass instrument, for example by such masters as Mozart or Beethoven. They have several such works in their repertoire, but they try to promote glass music not only with original literature, but rather with their favorite pieces of music. They play mostly their own arrangements, but also works composed especially for them by other composers.