Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher holds Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Music degrees in Vocal Music. Initially trained as a classical vocalist and pianist, she began her harp studies after moving to Upstate New York and has since followed a multi-faceted career path. Her harp playing has taken her from the most formal orchestral concerts to very intimate chamber performances wearing historical costume. Her vibrant singing voice has been heard in numerous stage productions, recitals, concerts and competitions in the United States and abroad. In addition to being a well-known arranger whose harp publications are sold internationally, she is an experienced choral conductor, concert organizer, arts advocate, music journalist and music educator. She gives private instruction at her home in piano, voice and harp and performs extensively in the Northeastern U.S.A. Darhon also pursues her interest in healing as a registered nurse.
The Restaurant – Classical
$20.00
This Restaurant Book collection by Dragonflower Music is intended for the intermediate lever and/or pedal harpist. These beloved melodies have been arranged in progressive key order so that the book can be played as a continuous set of background music at a gig. However, individual tunes may be selected as separate musical renditions and selections omitted as desired.
These arrangements strive to capture the “flavor” of the original source works and yet retain a strong melodic component. The selections are derived from orchestral, opera, operetta and art song compositions. Attempting to transfer them to the harp is a supreme challenge due to the unique characteristics of the instrument. Some liberties had to be taken in order to avoid unusual key modulations or chromaticism of the original works.
While I attempt to retain the integrity of the original source melody in all Dragonflower arrangements, a few alterations in melody and/or harmonization are sometimes necessary in order to accommodate the demands of the lever harp. Pedal harpists who are bothered by these alterations are free to add any “missing” notes in order to tastefully “fill out” the arrangements. In some instances, a separate pedal and lever harp arrangement are provided for a more satisfactory performance.
Lever changes are listed by octave number between the staves, while pedal changes are listed below the bass staff. (However, on pedal-harp only versions, the changes are placed between the staves.) Space permitting, lever changes also employ diamond-shaped “reminder” note heads, an innovative method of lever execution developed by harpist Dewey Owens in 1962. The arrangements contained in this collection were composed on a 34-string lever harp; therefore, they require a minimum total range of 4 and 2/3 octaves (C-A) in order to play everything exactly as it appears on the printed page, though most of the pieces actually require less range.
Selections in The Restaurant Book are designed for lever harps with an open tuning of E- flat major as well as all pedal harps. Fingerings, dynamics, and tempo markings are provided only as suggestions in order to aid note-reading and improvisation. The harper or harpist should employ whatever interpretation best facilitates performance, no matter what this book says!
