Daugherty: Harp of Ages one of his best

Executive brief: another great Michael Daugherty composition for hard-core fans and non-classical listeners alike. Need a bit more info? Keep reading.

"Harp of Ages" is a concerto written for Courtney Hershey Bress. Bress is the principal harpist for the Colorado Symphony. This recording features the soloist and the orchestra that commissioned the work. And it's Daugherty gold. 

Daugherty has a gift for blending multiple genres into a cohesive and engaging whole. His works are often good-humored. And he includes plenty of pop culture references to reward the alert listener. 

In this case, Daugherty presents the harp through the ages. Each of the seven movements shows the harp in a different role. The opening movement harkens back to ancient Greece, and the instrument's mythic origins. 

The second pays tribute to Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a Mexican nun and composer of the late 1600s. Other movements reference King David of the Bible, Harpo Marx, and two pioneering jazz harpists, Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. 

My favorite movement is "Uhurua's Harp." Trekkies know that in "Charlie X," (Season 1, Episode 2) Urura sings an improvised song accompanied by Spock on the Vulcan harp. Daugherty's movement turns it into a joyful dance.  And he French Horn occasionally plays Alexander Courage's signature "Star Trek" motif. 

The finale, "Irish Wedding" is a real barnburner. Daugherty serves up Turlogh O'Carolan. Then mixes it with Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and a dash of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." It's a rollicking celebration and a real showpiece for the harp. 

Bress is a first-rate harpist, and really delivers here. Daugherty's music has real substance to it, but one has to strike the right emotional balance. Sometimes it's serious and heart-felt. Sometimes it's funny, satirical, or even ironic. When it's done well, Daugherty's music is magical. 

And it's done well here. Andrew Litton ably leads the Colorado Symphony in an inspired performance. Daugherty's music is indeed for everyone, regardless of their depth of classical knowledge. It's just that good. And "Harp of Ages" is one of his best.

Michael Daugherty: Harp of Ages
Courtney Hershey Bress, harp
Colorado Symphony; Andrew Litton, conductor
Naxos 9.70365