The Amigos de Música kicked-off their 2017-2018 concert season this month with two musical evenings (September 19 and 20) of a different ilk at Os Agostos country estate (in the hills of Santa Bárbara de Nexe).
The Swedish Haga Duo – Sareidah Hildebrand on flute and Joakim Lindstrom on guitar – not only combine these two unlikely instruments to form a rare musical partnership, they matchmake a golden wind pipe with a docile wooden string box in a way only two outstanding soloists manage in the course of an evening.
Here the individual virtuosity of these artists combined with spontaneity and direct communication of pleasure in a consistently rewarding programme.
The first evening, partially dedicated to folk music, began with a short jazzy piece by Anna-Lena Laurin and was presented as a world premiere in the attendance of the composer.
American hippie and Australian folk tunes were played evocatively and were fun to listen to. The most amazing piece ended the evening: Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata has been transcribed for flute before, but Joakim’s ingenious arrangement for flute and guitar, brought out mesmerisingly the variety of colour and sensitivity of this endearing piece. What a fresh approach to the usual piano and cello renditions!
The dance theme of the second evening, with a Habanera by Ravel, arranged again by Joakim, was followed by a “dance fight” by the Australian Ben Staern and executed dramatically by Sareidah, and Joakim did not neglect the flamenco-inspired work by Tárrega for solo guitar.
Astor Piazzolla’s history of the tango, introduced by Sareidah as a dance originally played by flute and guitar at the beginning of the 20th century in Buenos Aires, was then temperamentally played by the pair and was the culmination of the evening.
An appreciative and ecstatic full-house audience of Amigos and their guests was fully aware that they had been entertained by two brilliantly accomplished soloists, describing the experience as “first class”.
To join the Association of Amigos de Música, email [email protected]
By HELGA HAMPTON
Photo from left: Sareidah Hildebrand (flute), Anna-Lena Laurin (composer of Tempus Fugit) and Joakim Lundstrom (guitar)
