Suite for Harp, Op. 83

Britten's Suite for Harp (1969) was written for his close friend and collaborator Osian Ellis, principal harpist of the London Symphony Orchestra. It immediately became a cornerstone of the solo harp repertoire. The five movements — Overture, Toccata, Nocturne, Fugue, and Hymn — explore an extraordinary range of harp colour and technique: glissandi, harmonics, sul ponticello effects, and Britten's distinctive neo-tonal harmonic language. The Nocturne is especially beloved for its evocative stillness, and the closing Hymn has an austere beauty typical of Britten's late style.