Albert Zabel

German Harpist and Composer

Albert Zabel (1834–1910) was a renowned harpist and composer, particularly known for his contributions to the harp repertoire during the Romantic era. Although not widely recognized today outside of harp circles, Zabel was a significant figure in his time. He served as a harpist at the court in Berlin and taught at the Hochschule für Musik there. His most famous composition is the "Fantasie über Motive aus der Oper 'Faust' von Gounod," Op. 12, which remains a staple in the advanced harp repertoire. Zabel's work is characterized by the lush, expressive qualities typical of Romantic music, and he was instrumental in expanding both the technical possibilities and the expressive range of the harp. While specific albums may not be attributed to him directly, his compositions have been recorded by various modern harpists and are included in collections of Romantic music for harp.