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.

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)