This groundbreaking two-disc CD set presents world-famous Canadian composer and philosopher R. Murray Schafer’s complete works for harp. From historic recordings to never-before-released works, harpist Judy Loman presents this collection for the first time, many pieces commissioned by or written for her.
Recognized as one of the world’s foremost harp virtuosos, Judy Loman graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with the celebrated harpist Carlos Salzedo. She became principal harpist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1960. As a soloist, Judy Loman has won the admiration of audiences and critics alike across Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. In 2016 Judy Loman was made a member of the Order of Canada for her contribution to the Arts in Canada.
R. Murray Schafer’s oeuvre has now surpassed 150 compositions covering all genres of music from opera to chamber music, and from choral music to symphonies. He is the recipient of 10 honourary doctorates from Canada, France and Argentina and has been the winner of multiple prestigious awards, including several JUNO Awards, the first Glenn Gould Award, the Molson Award, the Walter Carsen Prize and the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, to name only a few. In 2012 he received the Koizumi Prize from Japan and in December 2013 he was named a “Companion of the Order of Canada,” the highest honour given to any individual by the nation. Schafer was a professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School in Toronto for three years and has been awarded a lifetime appointment there as Composer Laureate. He is in continuing demand around the world for workshops and lectures.
