Contra Guitar DUO
Contra Guitar Duo present a recital of contemporary Australian guitar music, centred around three world premieres and two new arrangements for guitar duo, created in collaboration with composers. The program highlights the guitar as a versatile and evolving instrument and reflects the Duo’s keen interest in developing new repertoire.
The first half focuses on solo works, presented by Hamish Strathdee and including the world premieres of Harry Sdraulig’s Sonata for Guitar and Elizabeth Younan’s Fantasia No. X, both of which are written for Strathdee, alongside Paul Ballam-Cross’ This Wide Quietness.
After the interval, Strathdee is joined by Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle to form Contra Guitar Duo. Together, they will perform a set of works that have been reimagined for guitar duo through collaboration: Tristan Coelho’s Forest Stories and Lachlan Skipworth’s Ocean Pulse. The recital concludes with the world premiere of Holly Harrison’s new work, written for Contra, Bee’s Knees, a three-movement work that brings the program to an energetic close.
DATE & TIME
SUNDAY, 8 February
3:00 – 4:30 PM
TICKETS
GENERAL $30
CONCESSION/Students $25
Under 18 Free
PROGRAM
Harry sdraulig
Sonata for guitar – World Premiere performance
Paul Ballam-Cross
This Wide Quietness
Elizabeth Younan
Fantasia No. X – World Premiere performance
Tristan Coelho
Forest Stories – arr. for guitar duo
Lachlan Skipworth
Ocean Pulse – arr. for guitar duo
Holly Harrison
Bee’s Knees – World Premiere performance: Bee’s Knees, Golden Hive, Flight Path (Beeline)
Hamish Strathdee
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.
Contra Guitar Duo
Opposing yet complementary performers can create thrilling artistry – this is the basis on which Contra Guitar Duo was formed by Hamish Strathdee and Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle.
The pair met at their university auditions in 2011 and have been making music together ever since. Their contrasting musical personalities and charming personal chemistry bring a dynamic spin to the fantastic combination of two guitars. United by their passion to bring audiences music they love, Hamish and Emma-Shay are excited to showcase the varied and rich expressive capabilities of the guitar duo as an ensemble.
Brisbane-based Contra Guitar Duo has performed extensively in Europe and Australia. Performance highlights include the Dubai World Expo, Staatsoper Hamburg, Melbourne Guitar Festival and the Darmstädter Gitarrentage. The duo released their debut EP on Move in May 2023 and have numerous concert appearances across Australia.
