Two of Australia’s finest musicians, harpist Emily Granger and classical guitarist Andrew Blanch, have teamed up to record an exquisite, enchanting, and truly magical album - Suite Màgica.
And they’re set to celebrate their collaboration on Suite Mágica - for the ABC Classic label - with a national concert tour this February.
Both celebrated soloists in their own right, Andrew and Emily combine forces in this beguiling instrumental combination with a synchronicity and charm. The pairing of guitar and harp is at once both fresh and familiar, each instrument like an enchanted reflection of the other.
Between them, their 53 strings offer a unique richness of resonance and an expanded range of expressive possibilities.
Suite mágica their debut recording, showcases the energy, versatility and beauty of this enchanting combination of instruments, with impressionist masterpieces by Ravel and Granados, substantial multi-movement works by South American composers Máximo Diego Pujol and Marco Pereira, and a suite of brand-new works written especially for the duo by celebrated Australian composers Elena Kats-Chernin, Sally Whitwell and Tristan Coelho, before finishing with a new arrangement of an exquisite Ross Edwards miniature.
Guitarist Andrew Blanch stands at the forefront of a new generation of classical musicians. Armed with formidable talent, passion, and conviction, he is a popular and critically acclaimed soloist of traditional and contemporary repertoire, a key collaborator in eclectic ensembles small and large and an active commissioner of new works. With multiple international prizes to his name, Andrew has a growing profile as a concerto soloist having performed and recorded with orchestras throughout Australia as well as in Spain, and most recently in Brazil, where he recorded a new guitar concerto by Chilean-Australian composer Daniel Rojas.
US-born, Australian-based harpist Emily Granger is Principal Harp with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Emily effortlessly straddles the worlds of classical, popular and art music, including appearances with Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Blasko and Renée Fleming, recitals from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center, and performances with the Chicago, Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. Her considerable talent finds her equally at home in intimate chamber recitals and thrilling performances of daring new works.
SUITE MÁGICA national tour dates:
Friday 9 February 2024 Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Tickets can be booked by visiting andrewblanch.com/tour/
