Always on the search for new pieces to add to my arsenal of student repertoire (because I get bored quickly listening to the same music again and again), I ran into this fun little suite the other day on IMSLP.

An Evening at Home: Four Easy Pieces for the Harp
Alfred Holy, Op. 24

I first discovered Alfred Holy by way of his “Twenty-Four Easy Studies for Harp”, which I have used very successfully as sight-reading assignments for my students. He was apparently a Czech musician who lived from 1866 to 1948.

This is a set of four little images he wrote for one of his students. While it is quite sweet and simple, it’s not entirely a beginner piece. I’d grade it intermediate-beginner, with the additional remark that it’s for the pedal harp. Watch out for cross fingerings, harmonics, enharmonics, voicing, and a few surprise tempo and rhythm changes. The names of the movements may evoke a child’s storybook, but these are rather sophisticated little musical sketches.

I found that a few additional markings in the score were helpful, so I’m including them here. Enjoy!

[PDF – low resolution] An Evening at Home (markings) – Alfred Holy

[PDF – high resolution] An Evening at Home (markings) – Alfred Holy