John Thomas Harp

Harpist to Queen Victoria, the Welsh composer John Thomas (1826–1913) also wrote prolifically for his own instrument, both for solo harp and for duos of two harps or harp and piano – a combination where the different sounds of the two instruments enhance the clarity of the texture. Thomas’ original works use the elegant Romantic style of his own day, but he also left a generous legacy of transcriptions, especially of operatic favourites. Although some of his music was intended for the Victorian drawing room, other pieces require a virtuoso technique – and all of it has a thoroughly engaging melodic appeal.

The mother-and-daughter duo of Praxedis Hug-Rütti (harp) and Praxedis Geneviève Hug (piano) conveys a particular sense of joy and musical eloquence. Full of enthusiasm and dedicated to bringing this valuable and highly appreciated combination of instruments from the salons of the pre-classical era to the international concert stage, Duo Praxedis has been delighting the public since 1996 with their technically challenging repertoire and with the alluring and beautiful sound of the harp and the piano.