Four Harp Concertos

Released in 2013 by the German label cpo, this recording brings attention to the harp concertos of Ernst Eichner, an 18th-century composer associated with the Mannheim School. Eichner was a noted virtuoso who flourished during the transition from the late Baroque to the Classical period, and his compositions were instrumental in establishing the harp as a viable solo instrument in orchestral settings. The project was conceived to revive these relatively obscure works, placing them within the context of the refined, light-textured style characteristic of the Mannheim court.

The recording features the harpist Silke Aichhorn performing alongside the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, under the direction of conductor Stefan Fraas. Aichhorn is highly regarded for her specialized work in bringing forgotten harp repertoire to light. By pairing her performance with an ensemble deeply rooted in the Mannheim tradition, the production aimed to provide a historically informed and technically precise interpretation of Eichner’s melodic, gallant writing, ultimately serving as a significant addition to the discography of classical harp music.