Fantasie: Harp and Violin

Cathy Irons and Helen Webby weave together the sounds of two very beautiful string instruments - the violin and concert harp, in a programme featuring an array of music from French and German composers with some surprising twists and turns to the rhythms of America, Spain and the Caribbean.

With the glorious majesty of the harp (perhaps the grandmother of the strings?) and the warm, sustained sonority of the violin, this performance will be fascinating to both watch and hear.

Join the musicians for a mesmerizing evening of fantasy and romance with a touch of feisty, to bring warmth and cheer to your winter.

Spohr Sonata for Violin and Harp in C minor
Saint-saens Fantasie for Violin and Harp op 124
Paganini Andante Cantabile
Mel Powell Divertimento for harp and violin
Mozart/Fazil Say Alla Turca Jazz
Adrian Gordon Pizzicato Paradise
de Falla Nana
Jacques Ibert Entr'acte

This concert is family friendly - the performers will give brief introductions to each piece, and they will bring a small lap harp for children to pluck after the performance.

Both musicians of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and with established reputations throughout NZ and abroad, the duo are comfortable taking their instruments from classical music through to a wide range of styles.
Helen Webby (CSO principal harp) often performs traditional music of Ireland and Scotland together with Davy Stuart and together they are regular guest artists at folk festivals throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Cathy Irons (CSO first violinist) performs an eclectic mix of music with her Classical Jazz Quartet - the Baroque era re-imagined through the eyes of swing and jazz, as well as traditional classical music with her string trio - Tres Cordes, the latter with whom she has travelled internationally.