“Far and away, this was the most interesting selection on the program and although [Ellen] Ritscher said she loves all the pieces she played equally well, ‘A Sacred Harp’ seemed to be her favorite. She told the audience of about 100 Wednesday this was the work’s premiere.

“The Bell composition is a set of variations based on a hymn tune from the mid-19th century, found in a collection of the same name. Bell, 36, is a composer and pianist Ritscher commissioned to write ‘A Sacred Harp’ with funds obtained from the Kahn Career Entry Fund. Ritshcer received a $10,000 grant from that fund in 1986.

“The work is a smooth line of strong melody punctuated by dissonance. At times the melodic line is so rhythmic one’s head starts to nod with the beat. At other times, it is quietly lyrical–only to be disrupted by resounding thunderclaps that slowly reverberate into the distance.

“Ritscher was able to generate from the seemingly-staid harp sounds that were complete surprises. At one point, she strummed the ancient classical instrument like a guitar. She tapped on the sound-board with her fingertips; created the sound of falling hail with a sharp glissando.

“‘A Sacred Harp’ conjured up images of urban America in the 1980s and created an expectancy. Something’s coming, the music seemed to say, and unequivocal joy was prefigured.

“The work seemed to echo the 25-year-old harpist’s personality: strong, vivacious and independent. Ritshcer is an assistant professor of the harp at the University of North Texas and a staff member at the Breckenridge Music Institute, a summer festival in Colorado.” ­Valerie Barna, Mesquite News (Texas) October 14, 1988