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www.aislingagnew.com
Irish flautist Aisling Agnew's site.
www.cgs.net.my
Classical Guitar Society, Malaysia.
www.delcamp.net
Excellent classical guitar recource. Jean-François Delcamp
www.douglaswhates.com
musician/composer/bassist
www.duolisme.com
Guitar duo from Holland
www.feargushetherington.com
Maelasta duo partner.
www.fluteguitarduo.com
The Agnew & McAllister Duo's website.
www.frevoquartet.com
The website of Frevo Quartet
www.gifest.com
Ordu international guitar festival
www.glenngould.com
legendary
www.guitaralive.org
International Classical Guitar Radio
www.kelvintrio.com
Home of the Kelvin Trio
www.kentguitarclassics.com
International dealers in finest quality classical and Flamenco guitars
www.kwakkel.com
Bert Kwakkel, luthier.
www.livemusicnow.org
The website for Live Music Now!
www.naturalstudio.co.uk/records
My record label's website.
www.nescgs.co.uk
North East Scotland Classical Guitar Society
www.ralphtowner.com
Guitarist/improviser, Ralph Towner.
www.ssba.org.uk
Scottish Spina Bifida Association
www.tokafi.com
Discover & share great new music!
www.vamu.se
Dynarette cushion support
www.williamsimcoe.com
New York guitarist William Simcoe
www.worldguitarist.com
Daily news for classical guitar.
www.youtube.com/nsrmcallister
Matthew's channel on YouTube!
The Maelasta duo formed during the summer of 2003 after a chance meeting between Matthew McAllister – the duo’s guitarist and violinist Feargus Hetherington. The two almost bumped into each other on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall street. Feargus had just returned from the U.S.A after finishing his postgraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Matthew had just graduated from the R.S.A.M.D. Matthew and Feargus had first met some years ago while studying at the R.S.A.M.D and always planned to put some time aside to explore the idea of forming a varied and eclectic duo. Feargus already had some experience performing in duos with guitarists and Matthew was part of an established flute and guitar duo.
Soon after meeting on Sauchiehall street they scheduled their first rehearsal together with the idea of looking at works such as Astor Piazzolla’s L’Histoire du Tango, Manuel de Falla’s La Vida Breve and works by Villa Lobos. Growing as friends during rehearsals they quickly found that they were playing with a closeness and passion that was adding fire to the music. Gradually they were starting to think for each other and learn the character of each other’s playing. The duo now needed a name and Maelasta was chosen.
During early rehearsals Maelasta would rehearse with an almost band-like mentality, they would share ideas on other forms of music such as Jazz, Traditional and modern classical music. Much time would be devoted to discussion and listening, always looking for inspiration and direction that would open up new and different repertoire for the combination of instruments. This led to Maelasta’s now unwritten code that any style or genre of music can be included in the duo’s repertoire, the only condition is that it has to sit well on both instruments and balance well within the duo.
Feargus’s keen interest in traditional (fiddle) and hotclub of France gypsy violin has added some beautiful airs and gems of repertoire to Maelasta. Matthew’s interest in Jazz and South American music has added the music of Jazz pianist / guitarist and composer Egberto Gismonti to the duo and hinted at the performance style akin to a Jazz trio instead of a string quartet.
After a busy start to public concerts with The Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh Society of Musicians, Younger Hall St Andrew’s, Linlithgow Arts Guild and Cottiers Theatre Glasgow the duo are now established as a passionate and eclectic vehicle for new and old music. The duo have given over 80 concerts for Live Music Now!. Founded by the famous violinist Yehudi Menhuhin, Live Music Now! is a prestigious organisation which aims to help people access the joy of live music in venues such as schools for children with special needs, centres for adults with physical and learning disabilities, homes for older people, young offenders institutions, prisons, hospitals and hospices. Feargus and Matthew have given performances in The Royal Museum of Scotland, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, The Sage (Gateshead), The Reid Hall (Edinburgh), The Ramshorn Theatre (Glasgow), Aberdour Castle and St Giles’ Cathedral (Edinburgh, Royal Mile).
Maelasta’s self titled debut album was released on the 6th of December 2005 and had its official UK commercial release in the world famous Foyles Bookstore, Charing Cross Road London. The album sells in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Brazil, France, USA and Belgium and has been played in the USA on National Public Radio Oregon and WRUW Ohio. The album was selected for Music News Scotland’s top five albums of March 2006 and is receiving excellent reviews from the critical press.
Visit Feargus’ website:
www.feargushetherington.com
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Thursday 8th May
Agnew / McAllister Duo
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £8, £4 & £1
Venue: Dundee University Chaplaincy
Dundee
Scotland
Friday 9th May
Agnew / McAllister
Time: 1:15
Tickets: free
Venue: St Bride’s
Fleet Street
London
England
Saturday 17th May
Solo Recital
Time: 20:15
Tickets: tbc
Venue: SCC Hofdael
Geldrop
Eindhoven
Netherlands
Tuesday 20th May
Masterclass
Time: 16:00
Tickets: tbc
Venue: Waalwijk Kunstencentrum
Waalwijk
Netherlands
Wednesday 21st May
Solo Recital
Time: 20:00
Tickets: tbc
Venue: Stichting Het Cenakel
Tilburg
Netherlands
Friday 23rd May
Solo Recital
Time: 20:15
Tickets: tbc
Venue: Remco de Haan
Groningen
Netherlands
Saturday 24th May
Solo Recital
Time: 20:00
Tickets: tbc
Venue: Recuerdos gitaarsalon
Enkhuizen
Netherlands
Friday 30th May
Frevo Quartet
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £5
Venue: Kilconquhaur Church
East Nuek of Fife
Scotland
for a full list of concerts,
click here