As a studio musician and string arranger he has recorded for companies including Warner Bros., Atlantic, Elektra, Geffen, Polydor, and Capricorn. Among artists with whom he has performed in addition to his twenty-year duo with English violinist Michael Davis are the Chicago Symphony's principal flutist Donald Peck, the New York Philharmonic's principal flutist Jeanne Baxtresser, the Atlanta Symphony's principal trumpeter James Thompson, violinists Yfrah Neaman and Max Rostal, and numerous other singers and instrumentalists. Nelson Harper made his London debut in December of 1989 at the Wigmore Hall in a program of British duo sonatas of the 20th century with violinist Michael Davis. That recital included the world premiere of the Third Sonata for violin and piano by Wilfred Josephs. Dr. Harper is currently a member of the piano faculty at Denison University, and frequently gives master classes and recitals at other institutions including an annual week-long residency.
Pains of love be sweeter far than all other pleasures are.
He that plants thorns must never expect to gather roses. All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream. Thou canst not stir a flower without troubling of a star. The title Wire Variations refers to formal aspects of the piece as well as the method of sound production for each of the instruments. The piece is based on two themes of contrasting character.