Harpist

The harp is the instrument of angels. But it is also the instrument of the French Impressionists. Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy weren't the only ones to write shimmering, sparkling, and sun-drenched music for the 47-stringed instrument. Camille Saint-Saëns, labeled a classicist but incredibly versatile, also left us wonderful harp music, as did Jean Cras, a contemporary of Jules Massenet and Gabriel Fauré, who was an admiral by profession. The sweeping view over the sea and the whisper of the wind definitely left their mark on his enchanting chamber music! 

La Harpe

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Autumn is approaching and with it the time when the mice go in search of food for the cold months. But Frederick isn’t thinking about that at all! He prefers to collect colours, music and stories. Let’s find out together how they can help him through the winter and inspire his friends!

Frederick

Theater Bonn Opera House

The music of French composers in the early 20th century was colorful and oscillating. Claude Debussy's "Syrinx" sounds like an incantation, and the mystical atmosphere of his sonata for flute, viola and harp is also full of fantastic sounds. An instrumentation that Debussy's compatriot Ladislas de Rohozinski, born in St. Petersburg, also honored with a charming composition. Similar to Jacques Ibert, the third Frenchman in the group. The Belgian Henri Vieuxtemps comes from the immediate neighborhood and sends the viola on a virtuoso journey in his "Capriccio", while Arnold Bax, a short jump from Calais to Dover, traces the role of the harp in Celtic history.

Salutations à Calais

Theater Duisburg

Why travel far, when good things are so close: We are happy and proud to have outstanding musicians in our orchestra and to be able to present them as soloists. Johanna Welsch is an experienced harpist who knows the repertoire inside out. The harp is a rather exotic instrument, the scene is small – and of course people know each other! When Xavier de Maistre was our guest in the fall of 2022, Johanna Welsch also sat in the audience to experience how the world star handled her absolute favorite concerto. Now she is looking forward to one of the most beautiful concerts in literature and, what's more, to playing it with a wonderful colleague. Our new principal flutist, Lucas Spagnolo, is in his second year with us, not 25 years old and a great musician! The Hofkapellen series is very close to Dirk Kaftan's heart. In this concert, a symphony by Beethoven's childhood friend Anton Reicha will be performed again, which will be reissued especially for us, plus an overture by Beethoven's strict teacher Neefe, from sheet music that has not seen the light of day since Ludwig's teenage years … So you can be curious!

Harpist

Johanna Welsch

Events

Past events

Jun 17, 2026

La Harpe · Beethoven Orchester Bonn

27 - 28 Apr, 2025

Frederick · Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Future and recently performed repertoire

Harp in Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra by Mozart

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Harp in Trio à cordes by Cras

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Harp in Suite breve for flute, viola and harp by Rohozinski

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Harp in Fantasy for violin and harp by Saint-Saëns

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

Harp in Quintet for flute, violin, Viola, cello and harp by Cras

Beethoven Orchester Bonn

About

Johanna Welsch hasn't added a bio