Not harp guitars, but actual harps this time.  Not remotely related, of course, other than our instrument borrowing the term for its plucked, floating strings.

Though harps may be more mainstream and “normal-looking” than our often wacky harp guitars, they have long been the quintessential fantasy instrument for me – both in terms of appearance and playing.

In fact, watching premier harpist Yolanda Kondonassis perform in the opening night concert, I was reminded of just why I was so drawn to the instrument, and also how “magical” even the simplest techniques can appear to the layperson (sadly, I’ve basically “retired” to being one of those, myself).  She included a relatively simple piece that I briefly used to play myself (Salzedo’s Chanson dans la Nuit) and I found myself wondering how I ever managed to do it!  But I digress.

Frank and I (Jaci was – and is still – attending her ailing mother in the hospital) drove down to Carlsbad on Saturday for the concert and opening of the Museum’s latest temporary (6-month) exhibit: The Harp: A Global Story of Man, Music & Medicine.   We stopped off at Pete Bradshaw’s for some harp guitar playing and a quick dinner by Pete before we 3 headed down for the exhibit opening.

I had loaned two harps for it (and would not at all mind bringing more of them home when this thing wraps…).

Nancy Hurrell from Boston is the guest curator who helped put it all together; she’s the harp history (and player) new friend I met last May at the AMIS convention.

A great evening of art, history, music, and friends!