Description
Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz Sonata no. 1
for the Harp or piano, ed. A.L. Aber-Count
Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz (1747–1790) is widely recognized as the foremost harp virtuoso, composer, teacher, and innovator of the 18th century. During his early years, he was closely associated with the Viennese composers Georg Christoph Wagenseil and Joseph Haydn. After moving to Paris in 1778, he established himself as one of Europe’s leading harpists.
Readers can explore his life through his autobiography, translated into English from the original French and included in the collection Préludes et Airs. They can also discover many of his innovations—including harmonics, finger slides, pedal slides, and PDLT effects—in his sonatas and sets of variations. These editions are either reprints from the publications of 20th-century harp historian Alice Lawson Aber-Count or newly edited by Harpiana.
Krumpholtz’s music occupies a unique place in harp history, bridging the Classical style of Haydn and Mozart with the emerging technical possibilities of the single-action harp. These works showcase many of the techniques he pioneered, including harmonics, finger slides, pedal slides, and PDLT effects. For today’s harpists, they offer both historically significant repertoire and an opportunity to explore the foundations of modern harp technique.
