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British Music Society Enews

The ‘Juniper Project’ is a flute and harp duo: Greek born flautist Anna Rosa Mari with Welsh harpist Eira Lynn Jones.

Their new CD entitled ‘Fragments’, is a recital of short pieces, some in several movements making up twenty-one items in all, mostly for flute and harp together, although each of our performers has one solo piece all to herself. All of the music is attractive and tuneful, some of it could be categorised as ‘easy listening’ but there are one or two fascinating ‘off the beaten track’ pieces too.

The CD includes three well-known pieces, two by Debussy, one by Vaughan Williams. Four of the composers are French, three English, one American, one Dutch and one Polish. In a couple of cases (the pieces by Vaughan Williams and John Rutter) harpist Eira Lynn Jones has had a hand in arranging them for the Duo. Clear informative programme notes are by Phillip Borg-Wheeler.

The solo pieces both sensitively played are by Debussy, La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin for harp and the most famous of all solo flute pieces, Syrinx. The other well-known work is a delightful performance of Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’ by Vaughan Williams.

The CD opens with a seven movement work Algues (Seaweed) by French harpist and composer Bernard Andrès (b. 1941). Fresh free-flowing guileless flute melodies soar atop harp writing that explores different sonorities suggesting French sunshine seascapes. Entr’acte by Jacques Ibert has incisive playing by both instruments, enlivened by a sense of irresistible forward impulse. Witold Lutoslawski’s Three Fragments begin with rippling harp supporting a weightless flute melody followed by a lovely slow movement and a lively dance inspired finale. Danse Grecque by Jules Mouquet has the cool clarity of a classic vase depicting ancient Greek dancers.

Hendrick Andriessen’s Intermezzo is dramatic and powerfully expressive followed by one movement No. 5, Chanson, from John Rutter’s Suite Antique. Here we are in the realm of easy listening. With the Three movements of The Garden of Adonis by American composer Alan Hovhaness, oriental touches are deliciously quirky, also in the final piece, the third movement from the Suite for Flute and Harp entitled Can’t Stop to Talk by John Marson. Jaunty and almost jazzy, its happy sounding melody give it a splendid air of fun.