Valentina - Jacqueline Holt (Digital Download)

Standard: Intermediate to Advance      Harp Type: Lever Harp

“There is something particularly expressive about the sound of a plucked string on the harp and that sound was my starting point. In this piece, the resonance of the harp sustains the melody and harmony while repeated notes in the bass drive pulse and rhythm.

When writing, I imagined a girl singing and I felt the name Valentina suited the mood - both romantic and strong!”

Jacqueline Holt started her musical journey with the clarinet at age nine and has played several other instruments since then, including the piano, viola, guitar and most recently the harp. She returned to the study of music following a non-musical career. Based in Surrey, she enjoys composing and arranging music for solo instruments and small ensembles and she loves to explore different ways to express musical ideas.

She has been entranced by the harp over the last year and has been delighted to have had the opportunity to be part of the 2025 PoppyHarp Composers’ Project.