Sonatinas Op.55 N.1-4 by Friedrich Kuhlau

The four sonatinas by Friedrich Kuhlau presented in this edition continue my work on transcribing the composer’s piano sonatinas for the harp, following the previously published arrangements of Opus 20.
Written in the early 1820s and originally conceived for piano, these pieces exemplify the clarity, balance, and refined elegance of the Classical style. Their transparent structure, graceful melodic writing, and well-shaped harmonic design make them highly suitable both as pedagogical material and as concert repertoire of moderate technical demand.
They offer students an ideal opportunity to explore classical form, phrasing, and articulation, while providing professional harpists with charming, well-crafted pieces of genuine musical substance.
In these arrangements, particular attention has been given to preserving Kuhlau’s original texture and articulation while adapting the music to the expressive possibilities and natural resonance of the harp. Each sonatina presents its own character and technical focus, encouraging stylistic awareness, musical imagination, and a sense of clarity and joy.