Program Notes
Soloist #1: Shamim Minoo
A New Star on the Horizon: Shamim Minoo
Shamim Minoo, a young harpist from Iran, made history by winning the Gold Medal at the 2025 USA International Harp Competition — becoming the first Iranian to receive this prestigious award. Born in Tehran in 2004, her victory signaled a breakthrough moment for Middle Eastern musicians on the Classical Music stage.
Minoo will make her North American debut at iHarpFest 2026 with the charming Wagenseil’s Harp Concerto in G major. With her historic win and upcoming debut, Shamim Minoo stands as a fresh new voice in the harp world, bridging between East and West, and a rising star set to inspire across cultures.
Soloist #2: Jana Boušková
The Voice of the Bohemian Harp
Acclaimed for her commanding stage presence and musical poetry, Jana Boušková— Principal Harp of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and First Prize winner of the 1992 USA International Harp Competition — will grace the stage of iHarpFest’s Concerto Night Concert, affirming her status as one of the most distinguished harpists of her generation.
Boušková will perform the Harp Concerto No. 5 in B-flat major by Jean-Baptiste Krumpholz (1742–1790), a Bohemian-born composer and harp virtuoso whose works helped shape the classical harp repertoire. A contemporary of Haydn and Mozart, Krumpholz was celebrated in the royal courts of Paris for his elegant, forward-looking and pioneering writing that expanded the harp’s expressive range.
Seldomly heard today, Krumpholz’s Harp Concerto No. 5 remains one of his most exquisite works. Boušková first learned about Krumpholz's music at her mother’s side. This is a rare opportunity to encounter one of the earliest and most enchanting harp masterpieces, and a performance enhanced by the tenderness of family ties.
Soloist #3: Catherine Michel
The Grande Dame of the Harp Returns to iHarpFest
Renowned for her luminous sound, refined artistry, and musical intelligence, Catherine Michel brings a lifetime of experience as one of France’s most distinguished interpreters of the instrument.
Maurice Ravel’s "Introduction et Allegro" stands as the definitive French showpiece of the harp for its elegance, brilliance, and unmistakable Parisian color. At iHarpFest 2026, it will be performed by Catherine Michel, whose artistry embodies the lineage from which this work was born.
Written in 1905, Introduction et Allegro reflects a golden era for the harp when its music flourished alongside major advances in the instrument’s mechanics and expressive possibilities. This performance will be a living connection to the authentic voice of French harp playing, heard through one of its legendary masters.
Soloist #4: Frances Duffy
A Celebration of Irish Melody
New York harpist, Dr. Frances Duffy, enchants audiences with “Fantasia for Harp and Orchestra on Irish Airs” by T.C. Kelly (1917–1985). A radiant work that celebrates the spirit of Irish music, Kelly is one of Ireland’s most beloved 20th-century composers, who draws upon traditional melodies and transforms them into a richly textured orchestral soundscape.
In Duffy’s hands, the work comes alive with warmth and grace. She bridges the worlds of tradition and modernity, offering a performance that resonates with heartfelt connection, and celebrates Ireland’s enduring musical legacy.
Soloist #5: Andrew Chan
A Tribute to a Canadian Legend
The finale of this concert will feature “Carousel,” one of the last works by Juno-award-winning Canadian composer Michael Conway Baker, written for our Artistic Director Andrew Chan and harpist Catherine Michel. Scored for two harps and strings, this piece reflects the composer’s deep love for the harp.
Applauded by National Post as "rare charisma", Canadian harpist Andrew Chan has performed Baker's harp concerto numerous times, including in Vancouver with the composer's presence.
Presented in memoriam, this performance of "Carousel" stands as Chan's homage to an iconic music legend who passed in December 2025. Aligning beautifully with our festival theme, “World’s Heritage - Canada’s Harmony”, we honour Baker’s legacy and Canada’s rich musical landscape.
