Moving On Music is delighted to present two of Northern Ireland’s finest classical musicians for a rare duo outing, flautist Aisling Agnew and harpist Richard Allen.

Aisling and Richard will present a beautiful programme of music from the vast flute and harp repertoire including music by well-known composers such as Hamilton Harty and Rossini, alongside a new arrangement of a piece by local composer Greg Caffrey.

Aisling and Richard are in great demand as soloists, chamber musicians and are regularly seen playing with the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, Opera North, RTE Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic to name a few.

Aisling has performed across many continents, from the National Flute Convention in Las Vegas to the Jeonju International Festival in Korea. She is an in-demand educator working regularly with students from Queens university, the Ulster Youth Orchestra and the University of St Andrews. A BBC & ACNI young musician platform awardee, Richard has also won 2^nd prize at the prestigious Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition in Belgium, following a 1^st prize at the North London Camac Competition. In 2023 he was appointed harp tutor at the Institute of Fine Arts at Leuphana Universität in Germany and gives courses and masterclasses across Europe.

Don’t miss this evening of exquisite and rarely heard music by two virtuoso musicians, as they bring you on a journey of music from the 18^th century to present day, from France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

“The purity and perfect intonation of O’Rourke’s voice and Allen’s sensitive harp playing resulted in excellent performances of these very contrasting settings.” 

Journal of Music

“a perfect display of phrasing, tone and control… it was Aisling’s spectacular performance that stood out in spectacular style. I had heard this many times played by solo violin, but it is just as impressive for flute, especially with a flautist of this standard.”

The Courier

“Talented young concert harpist Richard Allen was the star of the show demonstrating the wide range of musical effects and emotions achievable by his instrument from dark and dramatic, through boisterous and humorous, to nebulous and otherworldly…virtuoso performance”

Northumberland Gazette

“Agnew’s playing throughout was beautiful with extended techniques on her instrument”

 Belfast Telegraph

Programme:  

Chevalier de Saint-George: Sonata for harp & flute obbligato

Lili Boulanger: Nocturne

Gioachino Rossini: Andante con Varionizi

Nino Rota: Sonata for Flute and Harp

Francois Borne / Georges Bizet: Carmen Fantasie

John Thomas: Watching the Wheat

Eddie McGuire: Three Chinese Dances

Greg Caffrey: The Uses of Not* (World premiere of Flute & Harp version)

Hamilton Harty: In Ireland