Music / Resonance, Harmonic Curves. At Wesley Music Centre, June 7. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

Resonance was the focus of the latest Harmonic Curves concert.

The harp and guitar proved to be the perfect match, showcasing a range of music from the 16th century to the present day in the hands of two excellent players, Alice Giles (harp) and Timothy Kain (guitar).

Initially inspired by popular music and flamenco to start playing the guitar, Kain’s first classical guitar lessons were with Sadie Bishop at the Canberra School of Music.

After graduating, he studied in Spain and England, winning prizes in Europe for his playing. His performing and teaching activities have taken him all over the world, building an international reputation both as a soloist and chamber musician.

Giles has had a wide-ranging career and has appeared as guest artist at international chamber music festivals.

For the first half of the program, she played two solo works composed between 1916 and 1918 by French harpist, Carlos Salzedo – Five Preludes for Harp Alone and Five Studies For Harp Alone. Giles explained that she would be using gestures developed by the composer as part of his Salzedo Method for the harp.

With subtitles such as Iridescence, Introspection, Whirlwind, Mirage and Communion, each part presented a different mood or colour and demonstrated the versatility of the harp as well as the skill of the player. The gestures added an extra stylistic layer to the music and Giles performed both all parts of the two works superbly.

Kain joined Alice Giles to present the second half of the program. First, they played three pieces by Irish composer Turlough O’Carolan, born 1670, arranged for duo by G. Garcia.

These melodic works were delightfully played, and both performers clearly enjoyed playing them.

The duo next played A View From The Eagle’s Nest by Canberra composer Marián Budoš.

This Canberra premiere of a 2023 work created a grand atmosphere both melodic and introspective. It proved to be a highlight of the program and the composer, who was in the audience, signalled his appreciation of the duo’s performance.

The final work was the Suite Magica from 2015 by Argentinian composer Maximo Diego Pujol. This popular work in four parts was given a fine performance by Giles and Kain, bringing this excellent concert to a close.