About

"Harps are normally confined to ringing out at the end of an opera as the heavens open up. Otherwise,
the instrument is considered a musty old salon music prop, with a high potential for kitschy excess.
Elisabeth Plank proves otherwise." (takt1)

Rethinking the harp, combining tradition and innovation  - such is harpist Elisabeth Plank's aim. She leads the audience in a journey of discovery - the harp as an exquisitely, modern solo instrument in its own right, with an exciting and unusual repertoire that spans the centuries. In her curated programs the harpist discovers forgotten repertoire, puts history in modern contexts and gives contemporary music a stage. Elisabeth Plank creates impressive, as well as filigree soundscapes – a world of colours to lose oneself in. Elaborate, emotional, captivating.

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 around the world - such as Musikverein Wien, Wiener Konzerthaus, Harpa Reykjavík, Konzerthaus Berlin, Grafenegg, Dubai Opera and NOSPR, as well as international festivals, MDR Musiksommer, moselmusikfestival, Bogotá International Music Festival, 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 or 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 Elisabeth Plank has been artist-in-residence of Wiener Konzerthaus as part of the "Great Talent"-series. Besides being an 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“ and “musings” 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 classics).

Elisabeth Plank was born in Vienna in 1991, 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.

The harpist 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.

Elisabeth Plank performs on a Diva by Salvi Harps as well as a double-action harp from 1825, made by Érard and restored by Rainer M. Thurau.

REPERTOIRE

Audiences are always fascinated by the harp. Programming a harp, whether it is in a recital or for a concerto is a chance to discover different repertoire and a new world of sounds. Elisabeth Plank presents the harp with all its textures and colours, as a visually and acoustically extraordinary instrument with a magnitude of possibilities.

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