Biography
„an exceptional player, great command of her instrument, so much character & colour in her playing“ (BBC Radio Scotland) Power and fragility, virtuosity and emotion, creativity and tradition – Elisabeth Plank combines contrasts into a homogenous, brilliant sound experience in her one-of-a-kind performances. The Austrian harpist has established herself as an internationally sought-after soloist and ambassador for her instrument.
She presents the harp as a versatile and exciting instrument: rich in colours and textures, with its unusual repertoire and a broad stylistic spectrum. It is Elisabeth Plank’s ambition to redefine the harp’s repertoire, by performing and recording newly rediscovered pieces from the past, documented by many world premiere recordings, as well as collaborating with contemporary composers. Additionally she is an advocate of the historical double action harp. Her own arrangements have been published by Universal Edition and others.
As a recitalist or as a soloist with orchestra, Elisabeth Plank has performed in renowned concert halls and festivals in Europe, Japan and Latin America – such as Musikverein Wien, Wiener Konzerthaus, Harpa Reykjavík, Konzerthaus Berlin, Grafenegg and NOSPR, as well as international festivals, MDR Musiksommer, moselmusikfestival, Bogotá International Music Festival, Dubai Opera or Festival de Música de Morelia Mexico. The harpist performs with orchestras such as ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Barockensemble der Wiener Symphoniker, Wiener KammerOrchester, NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, Iasi Philharmonic Orchestra and Thüringer Symphoniker.
Elisabeth Plank is a prizewinner in a number of international competitions and was honoured with the “Young Celebrity Master”-award of “HarpMasters.” From 2019 to 2021 she has been artist-in-residence of Wiener Konzerthaus as part of the “Great Talent”-series. Besides being a selected artist for „Classical Futures Europe,” Elisabeth Plank has been chosen as musical ambassador for the “New Austrian Sound of Music” for 2023 and 2024 as first harpist ever. In 2024 she was Lyon & Healy guest artist for Chicago Harp Day.
Elisabeth Planks versatility also shows in her discography: her solo albums “L‘arpa notturna,” “1825 – Echoes of Vienna on Historical Harp,” “Musings” and “Chimaera” are critically acclaimed “a thoughtful and beautifully played disc […] Plank has a real command of light and shade. She‘s adept at creating musical perspective.” (Gramophone). In 2023 Mozart’s double concerto with ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien under the baton of Howard Griffiths for “Next Generation Mozart Soloists” was released (Alpha cCassics).
Elisabeth Plank was born in Vienna and had her first lesson at age seven. She studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under the tuition of Adelheid Blovsky-Miller and Mirjam Schröder. In further studies she worked with Fabrice Pierre in Brescia. She also teaches as a lecturer at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and at international masterclasses and workshops, and is founder and artistic director of Vienna Harp Days.
Photo Credit: Julia Wesely
SPECIALTIES:
Technique
Practice techniques
Finding good fingerings
Musical interpretation
Performance training
Hindemith sonata
Mozart
Elias Parish Alvars
Classical style
Contemporary music
Chamber music
LANGUAGES:
English, German
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