Félix Godefroid: Studies for the Harp Sophie Hallynck

• Félix Godefroid (1818 - 1897): 3 Études caractéristiques for Harp:
• 1 Godefroid: 3 Études caractéristiques for Harp: No. 1 in F Minor. La mélancolie 04:14
• 2 Godefroid: 3 Études caractéristiques for Harp: No. 2 in G Minor. Le rêve 03:45
• 3 Godefroid: 3 Études caractéristiques for Harp: No. 3 in A-Flat Major. La danse des sylphes 07:16
• 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices:
• 4 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 1, Expression du pouce. Andantino espressivo 02:33
• 5 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 2, Les arpèges. Largement 02:40
• 6 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 3, Arpèges croisés avec chant au pouce (grande égalité). Andantino 02:03
• 7 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 4, Expression du quatrième doigt. Un poco agitato 01:21
• 8 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 5, Arpèges renversés. Allegro moderato 01:24
• 9 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 6, Chant et arpèges de la même main. Moderato 01:36
• 10 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 7, Chant du pouce avec arpèges des deux mains. Un poco animato 01:40
• 11 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 8, Gammes et arpèges de la main droite avec chant à la main gauche. Moderato 01:30
• 12 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 9, Sonorité et égalité de la main gauche. Grazioso 02:08
• 13 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 10, Les octaves. Andante 02:37
• 14 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 11, Extension des accords. Moderato 01:20
• 15 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 12, Légèreté et égalité de la main droite. Un poco allegro 01:59
• 16 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 13, Doigté nouveau du pouce à la main droite. Allegretto 01:27
• 17 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 14, Le contre-temps. Allegretto 02:00
• 18 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 15, Le brisé en glissant le pouce. Andantino grazioso 01:13
• 19 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 16, Répétition du second doigt. Lento 02:12
• 20 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 17, Sons étouffés à la main gauche. Mouvement de Menuet un peu lent 01:46
• 21 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 18, Les notes glissées. Allegretto 01:28
• 22 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 19, Les sons harmoniques. Lento 02:30
• 23 Godefroid: 20 Études mélodiques pour la harpe faisant suite aux Exercices: No. 20, Le trille à quatre doigts. Andante 02:46
• Concert Etude for Harp in E-Flat Minor, Op. 193:
• 24 Godefroid: Concert Etude for Harp in E-Flat Minor, Op. 193 04:17
• Total Runtime 57:45

Info for Félix Godefroid: Studies for the Harp

Incomparable virtuoso, called the Paganini of the harp, Felix Godefroid was also a composer and a teacher. This recording, performed by Sophie Hallynck, highlights the composer's studies in high virtuosity. Designed for his own use and that of professionals, partake of both "absolute music" - as with the deservedly famous etude in B Flat Minor, op. 193 - and the character piece, picturesque or sentimental. These musical miniatures are pieces overflowing with musicality, in a refined style, but they express a pedagogical programme first and foremost. Godefroid conceived of his etudes as a true school for harpists. Each technical problem becomes the medium for a musical expression - an approach that gives these etudes exceptional richness and relevance. Often based on one of those melodies for which Godefroid had such a knack, each one is set apart by a strongly marked expressive character, ranging from laughter to tears, as well as by it's structure, rhythm, novel sonorities, and harmonic surprises not lacking in audacity. Sophie Hallynck has risen to the technical challenges specific to each etude while staying faithful to the spirit of the era, with the aspiration to achieve a subtle balance between virtuosity and expression. Her essential objective has always been to make technique live through music, without ever obscuring that emotion that emanates from it.

Sophie Hallynck, harp

Sophie Hallynck
Hailing from Tournai (Belgium), Sophie Hallynck studied with Francette Bartholomé at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, where she graduated with first class honours in harp and chamber music. She continued her studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de musique de Paris under Marie-Claire Jamet and Francis Pierre and also had the opportunity to study with Pierre Jamet (1893-1991).

Sophie Hallynck has enjoyed considerable success in competitions. She was a prize-winner at the International Harp Competition in Spotorno (Italy) and the ‘Arpista Ludovico’ competition in Madrid (Spain). She is a laureate of the Fondation Belge de la Vocation and was awarded the ‘Willem Pelemans’ prize in 1996 for her contribution to the performance of contemporary Belgian music.

She was appointed principal harp at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège at the age of 21, a post that she left some years later to devote herself fully to her solo and teaching career. She taught at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Antwerpen until 2017 and currently teaches harp and chamber music at IMEP (Institut supérieur de musique et de pédagogie) in Namur.

Sophie Hallynck is regularly invited to perform with orchestras including the Collegium Instrumentale Brugense, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, Saint Petersburg Chamber Orchestra, Vlaams Symfonisch Orkest, Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, La Petite Bande and the Kiev Chamber Orchestra.

She has recorded many CDs in Belgium and further afield. These include recordings by the ensemble Arpae (Fuga libera), involvement in a CD devoted to Claude Debussy’s sonatas with Sigiswald and Barthold Kuijken for Arcana (which received the Choc de la Musique and Diapason d’or awards), a recital album devoted to the Namur composer Félix Godefroid recorded for ‘Musique en Wallonie’, a cello and harp recital with her sister Marie Hallynck entitled ‘Esprit de suite’ (Fuga libera) and numerous recordings with the Kheops ensemble.

Her renown and investment in education have resulted in her appointment as President of the association ‘Les amis de la harpe mosane’ and Chair of the jury of the Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition.

Booklet for Félix Godefroid: Studies for the Harp