One of the world's leading harpists, Catrin Finch, performed to an intimate Slee Hall crowd Friday evening. Finch is the seventh performer in the Music Department's Visiting Artist Series.
Finch's versatility and talent were put to the test, a test she passed with flying colors. The mysterious beauty of the music was brought out in the slow adagio notes of world famous pieces. Composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Nino Rota and others were part of the program.
Finch's performance of "Clair de Lune," written by Debussy during the impressionist era, almost brought tears to the eyes. Its slow, mysterious tone exemplified the richness and diverse characteristics of that era. She poured her heart into the performance, the most memorable of the night. It began in a soft stirring symphonic tone. Perfect tonality and grace contributed to the depth of the piece.
The concert included pieces from eras ranging from classical, sentimentalist and impressionist, right up through the Modern period. It was as educational as it was entertaining.
"She is just so talented. I was in as much amazement watching such a small woman play such a large instrument as I was to hear the beautiful music she made," said Anne Martin.
Throughout the course of her career, Finch has won countless prizes, including first prize in the World Harp Festival's junior section, and at just 14 years old she placed second in the World Harp Festival's senior section.
Finch has traveled to nations all over the world including Thailand, Latvia, Russia, Germany and Spain performing recitals. When she was just 10 years old, she performed at the Royal Albert Concert Hall; the youngest to do so. Over the past four years Finch has produced four albums.
Some of the songs performed were not originally intended for harp. Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565" was made for the organ, and Claude Debussy "Clair de Lune" for the piano, as Finch noted.
"We just take it upon ourselves to borrow from other people," Finch said.
Finch will again perform on Tuesday in Slee Hall, this time along side Movses Pogossian on violin.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
