Hamish Strathdee - Solo Recital (Brisbane)

About the Concert:

The recital opens with music of the Elizabethan Era, with a selection of three pieces by English lutenist John Dowland. His only Prelude P. 98 opens the set, followed by the iconic Lachrimae Pavan P.15 (Flow My Tears) and closing with the virtuosic 'tremolo' fantasy, A Fancy P. 73. Australian composer Olivia Bettina Davies’ 2020 work, In Flow, explores the combination of instrumental textures and timbres of harmonics and pitch bends presenting an immersive musical experience for the listener. 19th century Italian guitarist-composer, Mauro Giuliani was a well-regarded virtuoso in Viennese music circles and had close friendships with Beethoven and Rossini. Inspired by the music of his friend Rossini, Rossiniana no. 6 is a fantasy on some of Giuliani's favourite themes from his friend's operas and a dramatic and explosive finish to the first half.

Opening the second half of the program are two classical guitar favourites by Paraguyan guitarist-composer, Agustin Barrios; Julia Florida, a beautiful barcarolle and the virtuosic Vals op. 8 no. 4. Brisbane composer, Paul Ballam-Cross features with his meditative and intense yet calm, This Wide Quietness. Ballam-Cross writes that the calm intensity of the work is inspired by a trip to the Carnarvon Gorge and its Art Gallery and Cathedral Caves. Granados' Valses Poéticos closes the recital. Originally composed for piano this beautiful introduction and set of eight waltzes has been masterfully arranged by Canberran Minh Le Hoang.

Programme:

John Dowland (1563 - 1626):

• Prelude p. 98
• Lachrimae Pavane p. 15 
• A Fancy p. 73

Olivia Bettina Davies (b.1991):

• In Flow
  

Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829):

• Rossiniana no. 6, op. 123

- Interval -

Agustin Barrios (1885-1944):

• Julia Florida
• Vals op. 8 no. 4
  

Paul Ballam-Cross (b.1989):

• This Wide Quietness

Enrique Granados (1867-1916)

• Valses Poéticos arr. Minh Le Hoang
  

Performer Biography:

Classical guitarist, Hamish Strathdee, is regarded as an "excellent young Australian performer" (Limelight Magazine). Hamish's debut recording, Impressions of Spain, has received critical acclaim, hailed as "an excellent debut” (Classical Guitar Magazine) and his playing has been described as being of “the highest standard” (Soundboard Magazine) and with a “gloriously warm and rich” sound (Classical Guitar Magazine). 

Hamish has performed to audiences across the globe as a soloist and as part of the Contra Guitar Duo, with highlights including; the Melbourne Guitar Festival and World Expo Dubai, as well as engagements at Hamburgische Staatsoper and the Darmstädter Gitarrentage and a number of international TV and radio appearances. Hamish has received numerous prizes in international competitions including: 2nd Prize in the London International Guitar Competition and 3rd Prize in both the Stuttgart and Aalborg International Guitar Competitions.