Saturday 12th November 2022

Meera Maharaj (Flute) & Lucy Nolan (Harp)

Meera Maharaj (flute) played for us with pianist Dominic Degavino as the Maharaj/Degavino Duo on Saturday 16th November 2019.

Award-winning professional harpist Lucy Nolan began studying the harp at the age of seven with Eira Lynn Jones after being inspired when it was featured in an episode of the children’s television show Teletubbies!

Meera and Lucy met during their time studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. They are delighted to be returning to live music making and look forward to sharing this concert with you.

Here is a PDF of the Poster for this Concert (click to VIEW or right click to SAVE). Please feel free to print and display the poster to help publicise this concert. 

Programme (announced 24th September)
(4th piece changed 13th October)

Claude Debussy (arr. Loman): Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Jean Sibelius: Nocturne (from Belshazzar’s Feast)
Halfdan Kjerulf: Synnøves Sang
Sally Beamish: Awuya [Harp solo]
Benjamin Britten: Bonny at Morn
Sciarrino: Fauno che Fischia a un Merlo (Faun Whistling at a Blackbird)
Trad. (arr. Nolan/Maharaj): Malaika

INTERVAL

Claude Debussy: Syrinx [Flute Solo]
Eddie McGuire: Folk Memories in Autumn
Catriona McKay/Chris Stout: Da Trow’s Jig
William Alwyn: Naiades (Fantasy Sonata for Flute and Harp)

Brief Report “on the night”

Another great concert, attended by around 50 people. It started with probably the most well-known piece on the programme – Debussy’s Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un Faune. After the warm applause, they explained the background and commented that the flute only had to play the tune, whilst the harp had to be the whole backing orchestra! Lucy and Meera then took it in turns to explain the background to each piece before it was played, and to highlight anything to watch out for. Several of their pieces were specially arranged from songs with Meera’s larger (Alto) flute taking the part of the voice, and Lucy’s harp as the piano/orchestra.

Lucy’s harp solo which had her rhythmically tapping and slapping the harp as well as playing on the strings was much liked. The closing piece in the first half was a beautiful traditional song Malaika (which translates as “My Angel”). The second half started with an exquisite flute solo by Meera. Their final piece (Alwyn’s Naiades) was applauded the longest and loudest of the night, but sadly that was the end. Maybe we can get them to return another season.

Meera A dramatic passage Lucy
Press Report
 
The flute and harp combination of Meera Maharaj and Lucy Nolan produced another great concert, mainly due to the obvious rapport between the players themselves and that quickly established with the audience. It started with Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune”. They observed that the flute only had to play the tune, whilst the harp had to be the whole orchestra! Lucy and Meera then took it in turns to explain the background to each piece and to point out highlights. There were several arrangements of songs, with Meera’s larger (Alto) flute taking the part of the voice, and Lucy’s harp as the piano/orchestra.
 
Lucy’s harp solo, “Awuya” by Sally Beamish, was based on African rhythms and had her rhythmically tapping and slapping the harp as well as playing on the strings. The closing piece in the first half was a beautiful traditional song Malaika (which translates as “My Angel”).
 
The second half started with Debussy’s “Syrinx”, a flute solo exquisitely played by Meera. Their final piece, Alwyn’s “Naiades”, received the longest and loudest applause of the night. Much of the music was new to the audience, but that did not seem to matter. A truly magical evening!
 
 
For more information about Meera Maharaj visit her own website (in a new window), by clicking HERE
 
For more information about Lucy Nolan visit her own website (in a new window), by clicking HERE
 
Previous Concert Full Season Next Concert