Middlewich and District Concerts Society
Saturday 18th January 2020
Polaris Duo (Saxophone & Harp)
Gillian Blair (saxophone) and Elinor Nicholson (harp) formed the Polaris Duo in 2011 whilst studying at the RNCM and have since been exploring an eclectic range of repertoire and possibilities for this unusual instrumentation.
Here is a PDF of the Poster for this Concert. Click on the link to VIEW it in a new window, Right Click to SAVE it.
Please feel free to print and display the Poster if you would like to help publicise this concert.
Programme (announced 18th December)
Barbara Thompson: Green
Saint-Saëns: Fantaisie op.124 -
Esther Swift: What Is Joy To You?
Gustav Bumcke: Notturno op.45
INTERVAL
C.P.E Bach: Sonata in G Minor (3 movements)
Tchaikovsky: Lenski’s Aria from Eugene Onegin
Andy Scott: Sonata for Saxophone and Harp (3 movements)
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Brief Report "on the night"
An unusual combination of instruments, but a lovely sound. The first half started with a gentle piece by Barbara Thompson, then an evocative Fantasie by Saint-Saens, and the world-premier of a piece by Esther Swift. However the highlight was definitely a really beautiful Notturno by Bumcke, which saw Gillian playing mainly low notes on her Baritone Saxophone (see bottom middle photo) being contrasted with Elinor playing a string of high notes on her Harp).
After the interval a beautiful Bach Sonata was followed by the enchanting Lenski's Aria (Tchaikovsky), and they finished with a very lively (dare I say Jazzy) Sonata from Andy Scott which finished the evening on another high.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable evening, made more so by Elinor's quick tour of how her harp worked.
(All pictures taken by Roger Evans)
For more information about the Polaris Duo visit their own web-site (in a new window), by clicking HERE