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Classically Celtic performance engages crowd with quirky banter

World class musicians performed “Classically Celtic” Friday afternoon at von Kuster Hall in the music building.

The concert hall was packed, forcing some people to view the concert from the overflow room. Regardless of where the spectators were situated, everyone enjoyed the spirit conveyed by the heartfelt performances of soprano Gwenlynn Little, flutist Sir William Hughes and pianist Janet Robb.

The performance, as its title suggests, featured the blending of two genres — Celtic music, which has deep folk roots, and the classical tradition.

Hughes and Little were dynamic and humorous, interacting with each other and the audience. Hughes mentioned he was a friend of celebrated flutist James Galway, and performed several of Galway’s arrangements.

A Canadian Opera Company soloist for 10 years, Little presented interpretations of Irish ballads “Down by the Sally Gardens” and “She Moved Through the Fair.” Her renditions were soft and emotional, but full of dynamic changes. In an interesting twist, Hughes and Little performed pieces together in different keys — the result was a unique harmony.

The audience was encouraged to participate in the music by clapping along to the lively folk strains of “I’s the B’y that Builds the Boat,” and the crowd laughed at the whimsical humour of the performers who provided insightful introductions to each song.

“Sing along if you may,” Hughes encouraged jokingly in the introduction to a solo piece. “If you know the words then you must have been around in 900 AD.”

Hughes and Little have both enjoyed celebrated careers. Hughes has played with the London Symphony and played principal flute and piccolo with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. Little is a Mozart specialist and currently teaches in the faculty of music at Western.

The Don Wright Faculty of Music presents the free concert series every Friday at 12:30 p.m. This Friday will feature a Baroque Trio Sonata in the von Kuster music hall.

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