Today Beth Paré and I performed at the Culver Coffee Company.

Beth plays harp, and we both play recorders; so many possibilities for our set list. This time we had to limit ourselves to things one or both of us already knew, or that would be easy to learn in two weeks’ time — but we’re already starting to think of what we might work on for future gigs.

We had three recorder duets: A lovely Bach piece, “Aus meines Herzens Grundes,” an early piece just titled “Allemande” (which is the French word for “German”), and O Waly Waly (which you most likely know as “The Water is Wide”).

Several pieces for recorder and harp, including more Bach, and a hymn for recorder and dulcimer, “Be Thou My Vision.”

On all of these, I think, Beth played tenor — a lovely counterpoint to my soprano. I also had one I played on alto — the Gounod “Ave Maria” that goes with Bach’s “Praeludium I.”

Then there were harp and dulcimer duets, including the fun “Tambourin” by Gossec and Bach’s “Musette,” more hymns, and some traditional pieces like “The Ash Grove.”

Both of us were impressed with how lovely the harp and dulcimer sounded in a “Largo” by Vivaldi; that will become a cornerstone of our repertoire, I’m sure. Beth’s husband Paul got some video of this piece that I will link to as soon as it’s posted.

See you next time!

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“It was really beautiful to hear the two of you play harp & dulcimer together. It was a lovely family afternoon.” ~Janet

“I really enjoyed the harp and dulcimer song that I heard. Great job.” ~Dave

“They were amazing!! I hope Beth can play again-you two are really fantastic!” ~Dawn, owner of The Culver Coffee Company