So happy together

BOYD MEETS GIRL Rupert Boyd, guitar Laura Metcalf, cello Epsom House, Pontville September 17

NEW York-based guitarist Rupert Boyd, originally from Canberra, and American cellist Laura Metcalf released their debut album together in July and are currently undertaking an Australian tour.

The program, drawn from the album, ranged from Baroque to contemporary, mostly in arrangements made by the performers themselves.

Gabriel Faure’s Pavane, Op.50 was a skilful transcription from the original for orchestra and chorus. Four J. S. Bach 2-Part Inventions were especially illuminating in transferring the left and right hands from the solo keyboard works directly to each instrument.

Manuel de Falla’s 7 Canciones Populares Espanolas provided another challenge, with the vocal line replaced by cello.

Both players brought great vibrancy here, with the well-known No.4 Jota a standout. Other highlights were Arvo Part’s mesmeric Spiegel im Spiegel and Bolivian composer Jaime Zenamon’s Reflexoes No.6, actually written for this instrumental combination, and featuring some highly imaginative textures for the guitar.

Radames Gnattali’s first movement Allegretto comodo from his Sonata for Cello & Guitar, and Astor Piazzolla’s Cafe 1930 from Histoire du tango left the listener wanting to experience the complete works, while a clever arrangement of the Michael Jackson favourite — Porcaro and Bettis’s Human Nature — concluded the official program.

Celebrating their second wedding anniversary a few days earlier, the duo chose French composer Erik Satie’s charming waltz Je te veux as an encore. This was all highly enjoyable and varied fare, beautifully performed.