The harp and its players give people the impression of classical mythology’s angels or modern fairy tale princesses. Most people tend to think of the harp as an instrument exclusively for women. However, it’s time to change that perception! There are many excellent male harpists around the world who have achieved considerable success in the harp world. Their playing skills are breathtaking, and they remain active in performance and teaching. Here are four of them:
Xavier de Maistre is a French harpist who has won several awards throughout his career, including the Echo Klassik Award and the Diapason d’Or. He has also been awarded the prestigious title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Xavier de Maistre is a freelance harpist who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around the world.
Sasha Boldachev is a Russian harpist who has won numerous international competitions, including the International Harp Contest in Israel and the USA International Harp Competition. He has also been awarded the Moscow Government Prize for Young Artists.
Sasha Boldachev is a freelance harpist who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around the world.
Sivan Magen is an Israeli harpist who has won several international competitions, including the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and the Israel International Harp Contest. He has also been awarded the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship.
Sivan Magen is a freelance harpist who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around the world. He is also a faculty member at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Emmanuel Ceysson is a French harpist who has won several awards throughout his career, including the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. He has also been awarded the prestigious title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Emmanuel Ceysson is currently the principal harpist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City. He also performs as a soloist and chamber musician, and is a professor of harp at the Paris Conservatory.
Next, we will introduce some excellent female harpists.
Judy Loman is a Canadian harpist who has won numerous awards throughout her career, including the Order of Canada in 2010, the highest civilian honor in Canada. She was also the principal harpist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years.
Judy Loman is currently retired from her position as the principal harpist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Marie-Pierre Langlamet is a French harpist who is currently the principal harpist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. She has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque and the Prix de la Révélation Musicale.
Marie-Pierre Langlamet is currently the principal harpist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Naoko Yoshino is a Japanese harpist who has won numerous international competitions, including the Munich International Competition and the Israel International Harp Contest. She has also received the Japan Arts Festival Prize and the Idemitsu Music Award.
Naoko Yoshino is a freelance harpist who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around the world.
Isabelle Moretti is a French harpist who has won several international competitions, including the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She has also been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Victoires de la Musique Classique.
Isabelle Moretti is a professor of harp at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris and continues to perform as a soloist and chamber musician.
When learning the harp, gender is not an issue. As long as one has an interest, it is worth giving oneself the opportunity to try. If one hopes to play the harp well, one must persevere in practice and work hard to achieve results.