Harp Music and Recordings by Howard J. Buss

Harp solos, unaccompanied
(durations are in parenthesis)

AWAKENING (2011) for solo harp is a soulful composition which is influenced by the Jewish Klezmer idiom. The music moves from a mystical, contemplative opening to an energetic finale. Color is added to the ensemble with the use of wind chimes and finger rolls on the body of the harp. This work is a memorable addition to a recital, and because of its spiritual nature, makes a wonderful musical offering in a house of worship. Composed for Paola Devoti. (7’) Grade IV.
Recorded by Ms. Devoti on the CD Jewish Memories (available from the composer).
Sound samples: Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press 

VEGA OF LYRA “The Harp Star” for solo harp is dedicated to the renowned Italian harpist, Paola Devoti. The title refers to Vega, also known as Alpha Lyrae, the brightest star in the constellation “Lyra the Harp.” In Greek mythology, Vega’s constellation is said to be the harp played by Orpheus. The title has a dual meaning as it also refers to the person playing the composition. The character of Vega of Lyra ranges from lyric tenderness to powerful, sometimes fiery technical displays. The music explores a wide array of sonic atmospheres and moods.
(7’30” ) Grade V. YouTube video

Sound samples: Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3 .mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Two harps:

RICORDI D' AMORE “Memories of Love” for two harps was composed for the Italian harpists Paola Devoti and Elisabetta Ghebbioni. This composition addresses the human ability that allows one to remember and feel love experienced long ago. The mood of the music hints at nostalgia, but at the same time is relatively bright and optimistic. It was premiered by Ms. Devoti and Ms. Ghebbioni in 2018 in Pordenone, Italy.
(5') Grade IV-V. - Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Harp with one other instrument (Works in alphabetical order)    (top of page)

ALPINE SPRING (2008) for flute and harp was composed for Italian flutist Elena Cecconi. Its Italian subtitle, Riflessi sul lago alpino, translates as “Alpine Lake Reflections” and is suggestive of the glorious awakening of Spring in the region immediately south of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy. As one listens to this music it is easy to imagine the glistening reflections of the dramatic Dolomite peaks and vibrant green spring foliage in the lake.The piece is divided into 2 main parts. The first is introspective and at times mysterious. The subdued quality of the music coupled with the beautiful melodic lines suggests the alluring enchantment of dawn at the lake. The festive second part is in an ABA-Coda format and mixes Buss’ soaring lyricism with crisp, energetic rhythms and colorful harmonies. The B section is developmental and at one point the flutist is asked to flutter tongue, suggesting the presence of birds. Alpine Spring received its world premier in 2008 in Piacenza, Italy by flutist Elena Cecconi and harpist Paola Devoti. This work is recorded on Flauto e arpa by these artists on the Bottega Discantica label BDI 187. (CD available from the composer)   (11'30") Grade V-VI.
Score samples: Excerpt 1.pdf; Excerpt 2.pdf; Excerpt 3.pdf

Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4 (ending).mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

INNER QUEST (2011) for flute and harp was written for the Italian duo of Elena Cecconi, flute, and Paola Devoti, harp. The character and musical development is analogous to the train of thoughts and feelings one may experience during a spell of internal dialog. (7')  Grade V.

Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

LUMINOUS HORIZONS for bassoon and harp was inspired by the spectacular photos of Pluto taken by the New Horizons probe. The title refers to one image in particular, the stunning backlit photo showing the illuminated blue sky of Pluto. The austere, yet beautiful surface of the planet reveals rugged mountains, craters, and ice plains. All of these observations are incorporated into the musical fabric of this work one way or another. Written for Richard Meek and the 2016 IDRS Conference. (9’) Grade V.

Score Sample.pdf - Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3;

Excerpt 4.mp3; Excerpt 5.mp3

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SEASIDE REFLECTIONS (1993) captures the serenity of musing by the sea. In the preface to the score is printed the following free verse by the composer. It is suggested that the poem be narrated immediately before the performance and/or printed in the program notes to set the mood for the music: “On the shore of eternity swirling currents of liquid chaos gather for and disperse as foam. As rock wears to sand all dissonance transforms to serenity. Time presses no longer.” Dedicated to flutist Brian Luce and Carrol McLaughlin. (7’50") Grade IV-V.

version for flute & harp, sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3 Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for clarinet & harp, sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Music available from Cimarron Music Press  - Video on YouTube

version for oboe & harp, sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3 Music available from Cimarron Music Press

ZOOM (2011) for bass trombone (or tuba) and harp was commissioned by Brandt Attema and Astrid Haring.it was inspired by the spectacular images as seen through a satellite camera as the composer zoomed in on the coastline of The Netherlands. The strong narrative quality of the music mixes soaring lyricism with crisp, energetic rhythms and colorful harmonies. (10'30") Grade VI. ZOOM: YouTube Video

Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4, the ending.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Harp in chamber music                                                            (top of page)

SAINT FRANCIS AND THE ANIMALS for flute, clarinet and harpis a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, the venerated Catholic friar, preacher, founder of several Orders, and lover of animals and the environment. In 2 movements, The Birds, and The Wolf, this composition musically portrays two of the many well-known stories of how Saint Francis communicated with animals. Saint Francis and the Animals was commissioned by Kathleen Jones for ClarinetFest 2013 in Assisi, Italy.  (11’30”) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Movement I, excerpt 1.mp3; Movement 1, excerpt 2.mp3;

Movement II, excerpt 1.mp3; Movement II, excerpt 2.mp3; Movement II, excerpt 3.mp3

Videos on YouTube: I. The Birds, and II. The Wolf 

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Harp Recordings:                                                       

Imported from Bottega Discantica (Italy) BDI 248

Jewish Memories, Paola Devoti, harp

All of these compositions for solo harp are performed by one of the world's greatest harpists, Paola Devoti.

Howard J. Buss - Awakening* (published by Brixton) 6:56
Paola Devoti - Freylekhs: frammenti di danza* 4:36
Valentino Metti - Alenu: fantasia per arpa* 13:08
Paola Devoti - Canto sefarditico* 2:29
Attilio Del Re - Suonando nello scantinato* 4:21
Attilio Del Re - Suite of Yiddish Melodies* 5:33
Alberto Gentilil - Sognando 2:55
Paul Ben-Haim - Poème 4:21
Paola Devoti - Ikh hob dikh lib* 3:11
Paola Devoti - Freylekhs: frammenti di danza* 4:36

*World Premiere Recording - Available from the composer.

Imported from Bottega Discantica (Italy) BDI 188
Flauto e arpa  (Flute and harp)
Elena Cecconi, flauto (flute) - Paola Devoti, arpa (harp)
Music by Saint-Saens, Buss, Procaccini, Cataldo, Ravel, Del Re, Debussy, Piazzolla - Total playing time: 73' 30'' 1 Camille Saint-Saëns - Fantaisie op. 124   15' 55''
2 Howard Buss - Alpine Spring   12' 50'' (Published by Brixton Publications, see listing above.)
3 Teresa Procaccini - Lied op. 76   5 '42''
4 Glauco Cataldo - Dallo scoglio al mare (From the sea cliff)  9 '34''
5 Maurice Ravel - Piece en forme de Habanera   3 '12''        
6 Attilio Del Re - Yom ha shoah-Rapsodia su temi Yiddish (Rhapsody on issuesYiddish)  10 '23''
7 Claude Debussy - Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune  10 '56''
8 Astor Piazzolla - Oblivion   4 '36''
This CD is imported from Italy by Brixton CD-113

Available from the composer.

(Top of Page)

String Music Index:
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category.

String solos, unaccompanied

Guitar

Harp

String with one other instrument

String ensembles

Strings in chamber music - trios

Strings in chamber music - quartets

Strings in chamber music - quintets and larger

Howard J. Buss, Composer       

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String Music, catalog of sheet music.

Product description: Harp: Solos, Duos, Chamber Music and Recordings