French harpist Lipman at Gedung Kesenian

JAKARTA (JP): AKT Musik Indonesia has announced a solo harp recital by French harpist Sebastien Lipman.

One of today's foremost solo harpists, Lipman started learning the instrument at the age of seven. His teachers include such well known harpists as Suzanne Chardon of the conservatory of music in Grenoble, France.

At the age of 15 he continued his studies in the U.S. under Edward Druzinsky, the solo harpist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Other instructors included France's most famous harpists, Lily Laskine and Gerard Devos, at the National Conservatory of Music in Paris. He then received a scholarship from the University of Indiana where he was taught by Susan MacDonald, former harp teacher at the Juilliard School in New York, and is the only harpist to be granted the university's Artist Diploma. He also reached the finals in the International Harp Competition in Israel.

As an orchestral musician Lipman had a brilliant career with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1987, at age 22, he was appointed first harpist (at the same time he was the youngest member) of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Herbert von Karajan. With the same orchestra he played under Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa and others.

Sebastien Lipman presently teaches at the Queensland Conservatory of Music at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He has contributed greatly to the development and promotion of the conservatory's harp department through such activities as master classes and solo recitals. The countries where he has given solo recitals include the U.S., Germany, France, Norway, Israel, Denmark and Japan.

In the world of music, including in Indonesia, women are generally associated with harp performances. Hence, as a male harpist, Lipman is something of a rarity.

However, with his background, he has followed in the footsteps of this century's most famous male harpists such as Carlos Salzedo, Marcel Grandjany and Nicanor Zabaleta.

Sebastien Lipman will perform at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on May 10 at 8 p.m. In the recital, sponsored by The Regent Jakarta Hotel, Lipman will play a Salvi harp contributed by Indonesian harpist Ussy Pieters.

-- Gus Kairupan