DUO AVALON
The Byron Music Society presents two renowned artists with a delightful program showcasing the special features and expressive combination of their instruments.
JANET WEBB, FLUTE & LOUISE JOHNSON, HARP
DATE & TIME
SUNDAY, 16 JUNE 3:00-4:30 PM
TICKETS
NORMAL $45 / CONCESSION $40
PROGRAM
Clémence de Granval (1828-1907)
Valse Mélancolique
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Andantino – from the Flute and Harp Concerto
Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937)
Impromptu Caprice – Harp Solo
Bernard Andrès (1971)
Narthex
Traditional, arr. Salzedo
Londonderry Air – Harp Solo
Michio Miyagi (1849-1956)
Haru No Umi
Francois Borne (1840-1920)
Fantaisie Brilliante – on Themes from Bizet’s Carmen
JANET WEBB, FLUTE
After obtaining an Arts/Music degree from Canberra School of Music in 1979, Janet began her musical career as Principal Flute in the Singapore Symphony the following year.
In 1985 Janet was appointed as Principal Flute in the Sydney Symphony, a position she held until 2017.
During her distinguished career as principal Flute Janet has also performed regularly as a soloist and chamber musician.
Amongst the legendary conductors Janet has performed with are: Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lorin Maazel, Charles Dutoit, Georg Solti, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Sir Mark Elder and Edo de Waart.
Solo performances with the Sydney Symphony include Mozart’s G and D major flute concertos and Flute and Harp concerto, the premiere of the Lieberman Flute Concerto in Australia, Boulez – Explosante-fixe for flute and chamber orchestra, Danzi Flute and Clarinet Concerto ,and the Honegger Concerto for Flute and Cor Anglais. A highlight was performing the Bach Brandenburg Concerto for 2 flutes with Sir James Galway.
Janet has performed as guest principal in many major orchestras including the ACO, AOBO, Queensland, Adelaide, Tasmanian, Canberra Symphonies and Sadlers Wells Ballet and appears on the numerous Sydney Symphony recordings from 1985 to 2017.
She has also recorded 2 solo cds with piano accompanist Jocelyn Fazzone. “Tango and all that Jazz” and “Romantic Bonbons”.
Janet is in great demand as a mentor and teacher and has taught at the Singapore University, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the NSW University and the University of Tasmania. Some of her students currently hold orchestral positions around the world.
In 2010 Janet was chosen as one of 11 international jurors for the prestigious International Nicolet Flute Competition held in Beijing. She has also been a juror for the Australian Flute Competition and for the Australian Young Performer of the Year. In 2011 Janet was invited to give recitals and Masterclasses in Korea.
Janet is still in demand as a performer in chamber music and solo recitals and is President of the Roseville Music Club and the NSW Flute Society, continuing to reinvigorate music in the community.
LOUISE JOHNSON, HARP
Louise Johnson, internationally acclaimed harpist, began her harp studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music High School with June Loney at the age of 12. After receiving an Australian Arts Council grant, she continued her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, USA, with renowned harpist Alice Chalifoux.
Louise began her professional career at age 15 and at 18 was appointed Principal Harp of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Living in London in the 1980’s Louise performed regularly with the London Symphony Orchestra as Guest Principal and Second Harp under the batons of Claudio Abbado and Richard Hickox. She also gave solo recitals in Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room.
Louise has performed with all the major Australian Symphony and Opera and Ballet Orchestras, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australia Ensemble and has toured Australia with companies such as the Bolshoi and Sadler’s Wells Ballet, accompanying artists such as Rudolf Nureyev and Dame Margot Fontaine. She also played for the Bolshoi Opera and for Luciano Berio, in a concert of his own works.
Giving her first performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14, she was later appointed Principal Harp in 1985. She retired from this position in 2019, after 50 years of association with the orchestra working with all the eminent Principal and Guest conductors, from Dean Dixon to Simone Young. She regularly appeared as soloist with the Sydney Symphony, including perfomances of the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto with Sir James Galway, the Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez, the Ginastera Harp Concerto and Spohr’s Concertante for Violin and Harp. In 1996 she performed the Ginastera Harp Concerto in Seattle for the World Harp Congress and performed again for the WHC in 2014, giving the world premiere of Lee Bracegirdle’s, ‘Legends of the Old Castle’, under the baton of Simone Young at the Sydney Opera House. More recently she performed ‘Nu Shu’, a harp concerto written and conducted by Tan Dun.
Her repertoire is extensive, enjoying all genres of music. She has backed such artists as Cher, Sammy Davis Jnr, Peter Allen and the Bee Gees. She is a regular session recording player for films and popular music. She has given live radio and television broadcasts around the world and was a regular solo artist on the popular Australian TV shows, the Mike Walsh Show and the Ray Martin Show and appeared on the Australian Series of The Two Ronnies.
Louise has taught harp both privately and at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for over 40 years. Many of her students are now professional harpists. She is in demand as a tutor and mentor for youth orchestras, music camps and music schools. Founder of Harp Holiday and Sydney harp School, Louise is also Patron of the Harp Society of NSW and Director of Music for Roseville Music Club.