Available from Canadian Music Centre, Harp.com, Creighton's Collection, Harp Column Music, among others
This book includes six original pieces in the Royal Conservatory of Music Harp Syllabus and three in the 2016 Trinity College London (UK) Strings Syllabus. There are arrangements of Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair and the Flower Duet from Lakmé. At the beginning are several pages of tips on how to play the pieces, program notes, general tips on technique, and a glossary, all done in a humorous style. The book was reviewed in Jan Jennings' column in Harp Column magazine.
Winter in Vancouver - performed at World Harp Congress 2011, Summer in Vancouver, premiered as part of the whole "Seasons in Vancouver" suite at World Harp Congress 2014
In addition, Elizabeth has done arrangements of orchestra parts (i.e. Nutcracker edited for one harp part) and other pieces. Elizabeth premièred her arrangement of Dvorak's Song to the Moon from Rusalka for two harps on Sept. 21, 2008, at the Harpists' Tribute to Jurgen Gothe concert, with Blanche Olivar playing the other part. It is also available for flute or voice or violin and harp, and was performed in July 2008 by Susi Hussong on harp and Patrick Austin on violin at Pacific Harp Institute's Faculty recital. The famous Fanfarinette, the theme music for CBC Radio's Disc Drive, was arranged for harp duet and performed as a large ensemble for this occasion as well. A Baroque-style arrangement by Elizabeth and a jazz arrangement by Christa Grix were performed.
Winter in Vancouver, premiered June, 2009 at Celtic Traditions, YouTube video
New in April, 2020: Johnstone Strait in the Fog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0hOLL9ycm4 and Dolphins Playing With the Boat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSoIV7kKIB4 available on Harp Column music.https://harpcolumn.com/music/all-music/categories/artists/elizabeth-volpe-bligh/ and Harp.com
Dowland Lachrimae, available on Harp Column and at Harp.com Video: Lachrimae
Other recent titles: Dance of the Staggering Baby, Tango for the Rain, Urtext edition of Handel Passacaille
From a review on p. 25 of HARP magazine, the UK Harp Association Magazine, Spring 2022, by Alexander Rider:
"Ms. Volpé- Bligh, formerly of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, with whom she performed for several decades, is now dedicating some time to both original composition and the editing of classic transcriptions for the harp.
Of particular interest amongst these editions is Handel’s Passacaille from Suite #7 in G minor. Fond as we all are of Tiny Béon’s period transcription in flats, Volpé-Bligh makes a properly accessible version from the Urtext in the original key. Enharmonic substitutions neatly facilitate the original chromatic variations, notably removed from earlier harp versions. Similarly, a tidied version of Renié's transcription of Rameau’s Menuet from Castor et Pollux, removes the inauthentic tied notes, as well as corrected ornamentation for a considered modern performance.
The Composer now resides in a home with a magnificent view of the harbour of Vancouver, and the attendant wild life. In Dolphins Playing with the Boat the animals are depicted with plashing, rhythmic glissandi, whistling sounds and rapid triplet figures. A wonderful introduction to glissando techniques for the more advanced pedal harp student. Similarly evocative is Johnstone Strait in the Fog. This was inspired by a boat trip along the British Columbian Coast aThe whistling sounds here evoke the sight of whales blowing as they surface.
Excellently and clearly typeset, thoughtfully laid out with excellent material for either teaching or the performance which calls for an engaging solo. All available for purchase as PDF download from Harp Column and Lyon and Healy www.harpcolumn.com/music/all-music/attrs/artist/volpe-bligh-elizabeth/ "
"At the Congress I purchased a stack of CDs and scores including your pieces published by The Avondale Press. Although my piano playing is a very poor substitute for a harp, I can nevertheless imagine how very effective they would sound on a medium-size harp. I am particularly charmed by The Downstairs Spider as well as Winter in Vancouver, which brings to mind Monet's snow pictures."
With best regards,
Michael Kimbell