Short bio Elias Parish Alvars
Full biography Elias Parish Alvars
Elias Parish Alvars (28 February 1808 – 25 January 1849) was an English harpist and composer , born as Eli Parish in Teignmouth , Devon. He was one of the most prominent harpists of the Romantic era and an innovative composer, credited with the development of the double-action pedal harp. Alvars received early musical training from his father, who was a music teacher. He later studied under Nicolas-Charles Bochsa, a French harpist and composer, who was his mentor.
Alvars embarked on his first continental tour in June 1830 and went on to perform all over Europe. During his lifetime, he was highly regarded as a composer, performer, and teacher of the harp. He wrote a significant number of chamber works, including harp concertos, sonatas, and ensemble pieces for the instrument. Alvars was also an impressive arranger and transcriber, creating numerous virtuosic arrangements of operatic and symphonic works of the day, including works by Mozart and Beethoven.
Alvars settled in Vienna in the 1840s, where he continued to perform and compose extensively. Unfortunately, his life was cut short due to tuberculosis, and he died in Vienna at the age of 40.
Elias Parish Alvars played a significant role as a composer and performer in elevating the status of the harp in the 19th century, leading to an increase in its popularity and inclusion in music performance. His legacy continues to inspire young harpists and his music is still performed today.
Compositions featuring Elias Parish Alvars
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harp Concerto in G minor ("Grand") Op. 81 | 29:45 min | Concerto | 1846 |
| 2 | Voyage d'un Harpiste en Orient (Voyage of a Harpist in the Orient), Op. 62 | 23:58 min | Chamber Music | 1843 |
| 3 | The Legend of Teignmouth, overture to the opera for piano, 4 hands, Op. 47 | 10:50 min | Keyboard | 1843 |
| 4 | Grand Duo Concertant on motifs from Donizetti's opera "Linda di Chamounix", for piano & harp or 2 pianos, Op. 65 | 16:06 min | Chamber Music | 1843 |
| 5 | Ricordanze from "La sonnambula", for harp, Op. 46 (after Bellini) | 13:28 min | Chamber Music | 1840 |
| 6 | Grand Fantasia on themes from "I Montecchi" and "Semiramide", for harp (after Bellini and Rossini) | 19:11 min | Chamber Music | 1830 |
| 7 | La mandoline, fantasy for harp, Op. 84 | 6:10 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 8 | Introduction et Variations sur des Airs de La Norma de Bellini, for harp | 10:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 9 | Nocturne in E flat major, arranged for harp (after John Field) | 4:03 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 10 | Polonaise nationale for 2 guitars | 7:45 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Romance for harp No. 1 in E flat major | 3:03 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 12 | Romance for harp No. 2 in A flat major | 2:40 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 13 | Romance for harp No. 3 in F major | 3:43 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 14 | Romance without Words, for harp in G flat major, Op. 48/3 | 2:46 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 15 | Romances (3) for harp | 6:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 16 | Rêveries for harp, Op. 82 | 14:57 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 17 | Serenade for harp, Op. 83 | 7:52 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 18 | La Danse des Fées, for harp | 9:49 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 19 | Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo, for Harp | 7:39 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 20 | Concertino for 2 harps & orchestra in D minor, Op. 91 | 21:30 min | Concerto | - |
| 21 | Illustrazioni dei Poeti Italiani, for harp, Op. 97 | 7:51 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 22 | Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op. 98 | 28:21 min | Concerto | - |
| 23 | Grand Fantasie and Variations, for harp, Op. 31 | 16:51 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 24 | Grand Fantasia on Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, for harp, Op. 79 | 9:42 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Grand Fantasia and Virtuoso Variations on Italian Themes, for harp, Op. 57 | 13:19 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | Fantasy for harp, Op. 35 | 11:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 27 | Fantasy for harp & piano, Op. 39 | 18:06 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 28 | Divertissement, Op. 38 | 7:11 min | Orchestral | - |
| 29 | Divertissement, for harp, Op. 36 | 7:11 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 30 | Concertino for harp, piano & orchestra in D minor, Op. 91 | 21:57 min | Concerto | - |
| 31 | Concertino for harp & orchestra, Op. 34 | Concerto | - |
Albums featuring Elias Parish Alvars
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Elias Parish Alvars, Paola Perrucci – Works For Harp(CD, Album) | 2021 | Dynamic (4) |
| 2 |  |
Franz Liszt, Elias Parish-Alvars, Ieuan Jones – Liszt Of The Harp: The Music Of Franz Liszt And Elias Parish Alvers(CD, Album) | 2017 | Claudio Records |
| 3 |  |
Elizabeth Hainen, Rosetti, Spohr, Glinka, Parish Alvars – Music For Solo Harp(CD, Stereo) | 2004 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
W. A. Mozart, F. J. Gossec, E. P. Alvars, M. Małecki, Catherine Michel, Xavier De Maistre, Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bogusław Madey – Concertos For Two Harps & Orchestra(CD, Stereo) | 2003 | EGAN Records |
| 5 |  |
Grandjany, Tournier, Salzedo, Alvars, Palmer - Judy Loman – Harp Showpieces(CD, Album) | 2000 | Naxos |
| 6 |  |
Elias Parish Alvars - Marielle Nordmann, François-René Duchâble, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg, Theodor Guschlbauer – Concerto Pour Harpe Op. 98, Concertino En Ré Mineur Pour Harpe Et Piano, Fantaisie Pour Harpe Et Piano(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1993 | Fnac Music |
| 7 |  |
Dorotea Pedini - Hochbrucker, Hinner, Krumpholtz, Spohr, Alvars, Caplet – L'Arpa In Europa(LP, Album) | 1984 | Sipario Dischi |
| 8 |  |
Rodrigo / Parish-Alvars, Nicanor Zabaleta, Spanish National Orchestra, Rafael Frühbeck De Burgos – Concierto De Aranjuez / Concerto In G Minor | 1974 | His Master's Voice |
| 9 |  |
Anna Loro , C.P. E. Bach, G.F. Haendel, L. Spohr, E. Parish-Alvars – Anna Loro Suona C.P. E. Bach / G.F. Haendel / L. Spohr / E. Parish-Alvars(LP) | - | Lira |
| 10 |  |
Elizabeth Hainen, Elias Parish Alvars, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Camille Saint-Saëns, Rossen Milanov, Bulgarian National Chamber Orchestra – Harp Concertos(CD, Compilation) | - | Avie Records |
Videos featuring Elias Parish Alvars
La Source
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
La Source · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Alphonse Hasselmans
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Scintillation
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Scintillation · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Carlos Salzedo
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Danseuse a la fontaine
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Danseuse a la fontaine · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Marcel Tournier
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Rhapsodie
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Rhapsodie · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Marcel Grandjany
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Classical Suite: I. Prelude
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Classical Suite: I. Prelude · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Lynn Palmer
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Danse des Lutins
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Danse des Lutins · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Henriette Renie
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata No. 2: Allegro assai
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata No. 2: Allegro assai · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: John Parry
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata: Allegro
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata: Allegro · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Sophia Dussek
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Elias Parish Alvars
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Soir de fete a Sedjenane
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Soir de fete a Sedjenane · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Marcel Tournier
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata: Rondo-Allegro
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata: Rondo-Allegro · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Sophia Dussek
Auto-generated by YouTube.
The Minstrel's Adieu to his Native Land
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
The Minstrel's Adieu to his Native Land · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: John Thomas
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata No. 2: Allegro
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata No. 2: Allegro · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: John Parry
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata No. 2: Siciliana
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata No. 2: Siciliana · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: John Parry
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Classical Suite: III. Sarabande
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Classical Suite: III. Sarabande · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Lynn Palmer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Classical Suite: IV. Courante
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Classical Suite: IV. Courante · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Lynn Palmer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Sonata: Andantino
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Sonata: Andantino · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Sophia Dussek
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Classical Suite: VII. Gigue
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Classical Suite: VII. Gigue · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Lynn Palmer
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Les Anesses grises sur la route d'El Azib
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Images: Suite No. 3, Op. 35: Les Anesses grises sur la route d'El Azib · Judy Loman
Harp Showpieces
℗ 2002 Naxos
Released on: 2002-07-21
Artist: Judy Loman
Composer: Marcel Tournier
Engineer: Norbert Kraft
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