Meditations by Nightfall

A program of meditative works for Harp and Violin inspired by the Night

Performers: Paul Nicolaou (Harp) and Robert Smith (Violin)

Two of Australia's most outstanding young performers have created an imaginative program that includes works by several Australian composers and an original composition by Paul.

PROGRAM

Claude Debussy. Beau Soir (Beautiful Evening). Violin & Harp

Nigel Westlake Beneath the Midnight Sun. Violin & Harp

Ross Edwards The harp and the moon (No. 1) Harp Solo

Carlos Salzedo Chanson dans la Nuit (Song in the Night) Solo Harp

Marcel Tournier Promenade à l'automne (Autumn Walk) Violn & Harp

Jacques Ibert Entr'acte Violin & Harp

Paul Nicolaou Nocturne for a Southern Cross Solo Violin World Premiere

Eugène Ysaÿe Violin Sonata No. 3 'Ballade'. Solo Violin

Maurice Ravel. Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) Violin & Harp

J.S. Bach / Charles Gounod. Méditation - Ave Maria Violin & Harp

Robert Smith has completed his undergraduate studies with distinction at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where he studied with Michele Walsh. He is the recipient of the Richard Pollett Memorial Award, the German Violin Travel Bursary and the Gold Coast Friends of the Arts Award. An avid performer, Robert has competed in and won major prizes in competitions across Australia, including the Kendall National Violin Competition, the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition, the Ronald Clifford Davis Prize, the Basil Jones Sonata Prize and the Vada Jefferies Bach Prize. He has also performed as a soloist with various orchestras, including the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, Divertimenti Ensemble, and the Redland Sinfonia. Since 2019, Robert has been an active member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, previously participating as concertmaster and associate concertmaster in various programs. Robert has a passion for chamber music and has worked professionally and been mentored by Ensemble Q, Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Southern Cross Soloists.

Paul Nicolaou is an emerging harpist and composer based in Sydney, Australia. He has quickly gained international recognition as a creative and virtuosic young artist, receiving the Most Outstanding Performer Award at the 2022 Sydney Harp Eisteddfod, 2021 Monash University Emerging Composer Prize, and was a winner of the 2022 Artology ‘Fanfare’ Competition. He was also shortlisted for ABC Classic’s 2022 Composer Commissioning Fund and was offered a scholarship from the highly prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

Paul studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of internationally celebrated harpist Alice Giles AM. He has established himself as an accomplished and sought-after performer, appearing as Principal Harpist of the Australian Youth Orchestra, Bishop Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Fellowship Ensemble, Aussie Pops Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and The Sydney Youth Orchestra.

Paul’s artistry has been widely acknowledged, Mark Walton expressing “[Paul] plays with a profound musicality… This skill usually takes years to develop, and he understands it already. Every single note he played fitted into this glorious soundscape…”.