A Sweeping Movement: The Legacy of the Great French Harpists

CFLERPA 2021 Award Runner-Up. Abstract: This thesis is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Arts: Music Performance Emphasis Abstract Many musicians are unfamiliar with the metamorphosis of the harp in Western music. Whether this is due to a lack of interest or knowledge, one thing is certain: the significance of the harp's role in furthering landmark musical works and new compositional ideas is too often overlooked. Understanding the instrument's relevance in modern music today begins with the story of those responsible for its beautiful metamorphosis. The great French harpists of the 19th and 20th centuries were virtuosic performers who had a complete understanding of the instrument and were master musicians in their own right. Not only did they initiate a groundbreaking revolution in the harp's repertoire, create formal pedagogy, and expand its use around the world, but they also inspired composers to include the harp in new innovative works and dramatically increased the quantity of professional musical repertoire. This paper explores their legacy, for though some may underestimate the worth of the harp, its impact on Western music lives on to this day.