Ursula Holliger: Fascinating Works and Recordings
Ursula Holliger (1937–2014) was a renowned Swiss harpist recognized especially for her dedication to contemporary music. Throughout her career, she collaborated with leading composers and was often the dedicatee of innovative new harp works, greatly expanding the repertoire for her instrument.
Key Works and Contributions
Holliger played a pivotal role in premiering and recording modern works for harp, championing pieces by notable 20th-century composers such as Elliott Carter, Alberto Ginastera, Hans Werner Henze, André Jolivet, Witold Lutosławski, Ernst Křenek, Frank Martin, Alfred Schnittke, Isang Yun, Tōru Takemitsu, and her husband Heinz Holliger. Many important concerto and chamber pieces were dedicated to or inspired by her performances.
She collaborated closely with composers, such as working with Elliott Carter to finalize and premiere his work "Mosaic" in Switzerland in 2005. Ursula Holliger performed as a soloist and with ensembles under conductors including Michael Gielen, Pierre Boulez, Simon Rattle, André Previn, Neville Marriner, and Heinz Holliger himself.
She collaborated with notable musicians like flutists Peter-Lukas Graf and Aurèle Nicolet, performing both contemporary and classical repertoire.
Notable Recordings & Projects
Holliger's lyrical approach to the harp is exemplified in her performances, translating the vocal tradition of "songs without words" into expressive harp performance.
As part of the acclaimed chamber music festival recordings, Holliger is featured in significant ensemble works, reflecting her deep involvement in both new and traditional repertoire.
In essence, Ursula Holliger's works are a testament to her unique interpretation of music and her unparalleled creativity. Her contributions to the world of music, particularly in the realm of contemporary music, remain significant and influential.