“1825” – the title of the new album of the young Austrian harpist Elisabeth Plank makes reference to the instrument of this recording, the historical double-action harp which was created in that year by the Paris firm of the Érard Brothers. The selection of works makes the emergance of an original harp style audible, which foremost consisted of a stylistic distinction between harp and piano, which was first made possible by the further technical development of both instruments during that time.

The CD presents compositions by Louis Spohr, Ludwig van Beethoven and Ignaz Pleyel, which were still written for the single-action harp, next to works for the double-action harp by Elias Parish Alvars, without any doubt the most popular harp player of his time, by Franz Lachner, Charles Nicholas Bochsa and Gioacchino Rossini.

“For me this album represents the start of an intensive examination of the historical double harp and of the history of the harp in Vienna. This CD is therefore intended as an invitation to people to immerse themselves in a world of sound unknown today and in an unfamiliar aspect of Vienna.” – Elisabeth Plank

Since her solo debut in Vienna’s Konzerthaus at the age of just seventeen, the young Austrian harpist Elisabeth Plank has established herself as a soloist in international demand and a true ambassador for her instrument. From the season 2019/20 she will be presented as artist-in-residence in the context of the series “Great Talent” by the Konzerthaus Vienna.

So far her concerts have taken Elisabeth Plank to renowned concert halls and festivals such as the Musikverein Vienna, the Mozarthaus Vienna, the Young Classic Europe Festival, the MDR Musiksommer, Arpissima, World Harp Congress, and on tours of Japan and South America. As a soloist with orchestra Elisabeth Plank has performed with orchestras such as the Camerata Bohemica Prague, the Thüringer Symphoniker or the Barock Ensemble of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

The young harpist has won several prizes in international competitions in Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan (including Musica Juventutis, International Reinl-Competition, Osaka International Music Competition).