Kyriaki (Kyra) Pantelidou
(voice); Bradley Johnston (guitars).
(Review by Roly Veitch/Photos courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair)
Have you ever gone to a
concert to hear someone you’ve not heard before, wondering what it would be
like and then come away at the end thinking “I’m so glad I went to that”? This
was one of those magical moments.
Kyra graduated from the
Sage B Mus. course last year and returned to her home in Cyprus. Paul Edis, who
organises the Gala lunchtime concerts, invited her back especially for this
recital, her only performance on this short visit. I don’t doubt she will be
back and probably touring. She deserves to be as this, the music, was of the
highest calibre.
In an intimate duo setting
along with Bradley Johnston on guitar, the pair took us on a journey through
the finest of GASbook material mixed with songs from France, Italy, Spain,
Portugal and Greece. A mix of western and world music that was a total delight
from start to finish. 
Playing at almost acoustic
level Johnston provided impeccable accompaniment, alternating between his
electric Benson jazz guitar and an acoustic Selmer style gypsy jazz
instrument. Considering that these
instruments have a very different feel and need very different plectrums, I had
to admire the flawless execution, all played with a nod to the Joe Pass
virtuoso solo style which he has totally mastered. The music they performed
also offered up flamenco, bossa, waltz, gypsy style, and the final gentle song
in a lilting 5/4 time.
With Kyra we have the
combination of a beautiful, sensitive singing voice delivered in a most
engaging fashion by a charming young lady. Perfect! You could hear a pin drop.
Speaking from my own
perspective, so often these days music is quite loud, sometimes very loud. I do
believe that music played well at the quietest level, where you get a feeling
of a one to one relationship with the artist, is the loveliest thing to
experience and for me has much more impact than decibels. As you’ll gather from
my comments this is just what the audience experienced here. What a treat!
The eclectic set list: J’ai Deux Amour (Scotto, Koger, Varna); Sophisticated Lady (Ellington); Una Notte A Napoli (Lauderdale, Forbes);
Samba De Uma Nota So (Jobim,
Mendonca); Misty (Garner); I Am So Sorry (Giannides/Spyropoulos
/Papadoukas); (No Habra Nadie en el Mundo
(Buika); Black Orpheus (Bonfa); Tu Vuo Fa L’Americano (Carosone); Someone to Watch Over Me (G & I
Gershwin); Besame Mucho (Evora); Lush Life (Strayhorn); Ta Stefana Ta Amilita (Cacoyannis/Pampos).
Roly
3 comments :
Ah - I wish I could have gone to this gig! Please do it again, Kyriaki and Bradley! xx
Patti Durham I wish I could come back soon!
You will, Kyriaki x
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