Melbourne harpist Jacinta Dennett has released a CD of works for solo harp by Australian women composers, including a new recording of Glanville-Hicks’s harp sonata. Kate Rockstrom in the lastest Readings newsletter writes:
“Included on the album is the ever-popular Sonata for Harp by Peggy Glanville-Hicks, whose works are still undervalued in my opinion. But we also have works from lesser-known composers such as Helen Gifford and Alicia Grant. Grant’s three pieces for harp are a particularly delightful find; ‘Sea Breezes’, ‘Footprints in the Sand’ and ‘Ocean Floor’ are evocative of their names and the sweetness in their soft moments makes you focus your ears to hear every last drop of Dennett’s harp. ‘Fable’ by Helen Gifford lends its name to the whole album and it’s a brave start. With discordant chords littered throughout, it feels almost angry, but a controlled anger reminiscent of when someone is not allowed to express their emotions. I’ve listened to this album many times while writing his review, but each time I get something new – just the way it should be.”