HARP AND FLUTE: ALICE GILES AND LAURA CHISLETT

7:30 pm saturday 7th june 2025, wesley music centre, canberra

Hear new sounds and exciting world premiere performances! A contemporary concert for the adventurous-spirited.

Laura Chislett, flute, joins Alice Giles in first performances of duo works by Edward Cowie and Gerard Brophy; the premiere of "Harlequin Dances" for solo harp by Edward Cowie, "Harp Body Her Body" by Mary Doumany and "Breath Dance" by Timothy Geller.

Be prepared for an astonishing and surprising journey!

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Program information:

Two world premiere performances of works by Edward Cowie - “Harlequin Dances” and a “Duo for flute and harp (name tba)” - will be centrepieces of the concert. Cowie has a long history of writing for both flute and for harp, so his understanding and idiomatic writing stands out. It will be exciting to hear how he combines his love for the two instruments into one work. This concert is also a rare opportunity for Canberrans to hear two other unusual and evocative solo harp works: “Harp Body Her Body” was commissioned by the Phoenix Foundation and was premiered in 2019 at Phoenix Central Park. Watch the video. This extraordinary work combines movement, gesture, and vocalisations, into a harp-led ceremonial journey. Mary Doumany is a harpist (amongst numerous other talents), and her affinity with the essential nature of the instrument is abundantly clear. “Breath Dance” was commissioned by the Four Winds Festival and premiered by Alice Giles at the Festival in 2018. Inspired by the sounds of the wind through harp strings, the piece uses recorded wind harp sound, enhanced by humming into the back of the harp and bowing of strings, setting up an other-worldy atmosphere. One other world premier performance will conclude the program: Gerard Brohpy’s “Bubuk Nocturne” for flute and harp was composed in 2021 (commissioned by Catherine Mairs). The influence of Brophy’s time spent in Istanbul is evident in the rhythm and harmony in this effective new addition to the repertoire.

Biographical:

Laura Chislett has established herself on the international stage as a performer, educator and recording artist across a wide range of musical styles. Her ten CDs are available on multiple streaming platforms. Laura has performed as a guest artist in festivals in Paris, Berlin, Huddersfield, Stockholm, Galway, Pittsburgh, and Turin. In 2018 and 2019 she was a guest of the Shanghai Conservatory. Recent projects include a CD on the Métier Divine Art label (UK) of improvisations based in nature and art with Edward Cowie; a performance with Satsuki Odamura (koto) at the ‘Cut Paste Play’ festival; and a duo recital titled “The Female Gaze: 100 years of music by Australian female composers” with pianist Stephanie McCallum at the Sydney Conservatorium. More info: www.chislett.au

Alice Giles AM is celebrated as one of the world’s leading harpists. First Prize winner of the 8th Israel International Harp Contest, she has performed extensively as soloist world-wide. Regarded by Luciano Berio as the foremost interpreter of his Sequenza II, solo recitals include London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s 92nd Street ‘Y’, Merkin Hall and Frankfurt Alte Oper. She is Director of the Penta Harp Ensemble, Artistic Director of the non-profit company Harp Centre Australia and was Artistic Director of the World Harp Congress Sydney 2014. Alice is currently Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. www.alicegiles.com