The multi-award-winning harpist Xavier de Maistre dedicates his new album to the music of George Frideric Handel, together with the Festival Strings Lucerne. In addition to Handel's only harp concerto, the Concerto in B flat major, HWV 294, the album also features arrangements of two concertos originally written for organ and orchestra: the Concertos for Organ in D minor, HWV 309 and in F major, HWV 293. There are also adaptations for solo harp of the Passacaglia from Suite No. 7 in G minor, HWV 434, originally composed for harpsichord, and of the ‘Tema con Variazioni’. A particular highlight is the arrangement of the Minuet in G minor, HWV 434/4, for harp and piano. Xavier de Maistre is accompanied on the felt piano by French pianist Julien Quentin.

Xavier de Maistre explains the project: "Handel's harp concerto was the first record I received as a gift from my teacher for my first recital. When I heard the first notes, I knew: this was going to be my life. The piece has accompanied me ever since, at auditions and in lessons. I waited a long time to record it because I was waiting for the right combination and partners. Now I have rehearsed it again for this recording, even adding many original embellishments. In the Festival Strings Lucerne, I have found the ideal partners, and for me, the two organ concertos are the perfect complement to this personal album."

Xavier de Maistre is one of those world-class harpists who consistently succeeds in drawing new facets and colors from his instrument. A passionate advocate of his instrument, he has expanded the harp repertoire and commissioned new works from composers. He also creates transcriptions of important instrumental works.

Born in Toulon, France, Xavier de Maistre initially studied harp at his hometown's conservatory and later perfected his technique in Paris with Catherine Michel and Jacqueline Borot. He also studied at Sciences Po Paris and the London School of Economics. In 1998, he won first prize and two interpretation prizes at the prestigious International Harp Competition in Bloomington, USA, and in the same year became the first French musician to be accepted as solo harpist by the Vienna Philharmonic. Since then, he has regularly performed as a soloist with some of the world's finest orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, and the Orchestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo. Xavier De Maistre has been an exclusive Sony Classical artist since 2008. He plays a Lyon & Healy instrument.

Xavier de Maistre, harp

Festival Strings Lucerne