Classical Music Discoveries

Harpist to Queen Victoria, the Welsh composer John Thomas (1826–1913) also wrote prolifically for his own instrument, both for solo harp and for duos of two harps or harp and piano – a combination where the different sounds of the two instruments enhance the clarity of the texture. Thomas’ original works use the elegant Romantic style of his own day, but he also left a generous legacy of transcriptions, especially of operatic favorites. Although some of his music was intended for the Victorian drawing room, other pieces require a virtuoso technique – and all of it has a thoroughly engaging melodic appeal.

Tracks

Charles Gounod, arr. John Thomas

1. Soldiers’ Chorus from Gounod’s Faust (2:48)

Charles Gounod, arr. John Thomas and Julius Benedict

1. Duet on Subjects from Gounod’s Faust (1869) (8:41)

Giuseppe Verdi arr. John Thomas

Six Gems from Verdi’s Operas (publ. 1857) (32:41)

1. No. 1 ‘Miserere’ and ‘Tu vedrai che amore in terra’ from Il trovatore (7:24)
2. No. 2 ‘Il balen’ and ‘Di tale amor’ from Il trovatore (4:25)
3. No. 3 ‘Or co’ dadi’, ‘Squilli, echeggi la tromba’ and ‘Sì, la stanchezza m’opprime’ from Il trovatore (6:19)
4. No. 4 ‘D’amor sull’alo rosee’ and ‘Di quella pira’ from Il trovatore (5:36)
5. No. 5 ‘Un dì, se ben rammentomi’ (Quartet) from Rigoletto (5:16)
6. No. 6 La Sicilienne (Boléro) from Les vêpres siciliennes (3:41)

Gioachino Rossini arr. John Thomas

1. Prayer from Mosè in Egitto (arr. 1884) (5:22)

John Thomas

1. Le Désir. Rhapsody (1892) (4:41)
2. Coronation March (1902) (3:57)

Luigi Venzano arr. John Thomas

1. La Gassier Valse (arr. 1858) (2:45)

First Recordings

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This album is broadcast with the permission of Sean Dacy from Rosebrook Media.