The “brilliant English master of the acoustic guitar” (THE DAILY TELEGRAPH) and the “doyenne of Irish harpers” (* * * * * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY), "an absolute legend" (THE IRISH ECHO) and 2001 recipient of the prestigious Irish Traditional Musician of the Year Award (Gradam Ceoil TG4) in perfect harmony for the season of celebration.
There’s something magical about harps, and particularly at Christmas, though Chris Newman and Máire Ní Chathasaigh’s alchemy on harp and guitar creates a very special magic at all times. Individually famed for originality, innovation and virtuosity on their respective instruments, together they have created one of the most distinctive voices in modern acoustic music and brought their unique musical vision to venues large and small in twenty-four countries on five continents. Their many recordings express both the depth of their commitment to tradition and an eternally playful, curious and adventurous spirit.
Their Christmas show, presented with warmth, charm and wit, features a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish and Scottish music, swing jazz, bluegrass and baroque plus festive favourites given a fresh voice with arrangements that are intricate, inventive, moving and beautiful, and performed in their characteristically heart-warming style – a spellbinding treat for mid-winter.
“Thank you for a truly beautiful concert yesterday; we loved every minute of it! Here are some of the audience comments: ‘Beautiful, inspiring, calming’, ‘Engaging, tuneful, uplifting’, ‘Joyful, enjoyable, memorable’, ‘Unbelievable, virtuosic, delightful”. And my own - moving, breath taking, beautiful and a pure delight! Thank you so much for making a church full of people so happy. The concert will always stay in my memory as being a lovely sparkling jewel.”
Carole Butcher, organiser of Celtic Christmas Strings concert at Church of the Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells, Lancaster
More praise for the duo:
“An eclecticism and spirit of adventure that is quite thrilling” THE TIMES (UK) “Dazzling virtuosity” THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (UK) "Sublime" SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (Australia) “Chris is amazing... one of our greatest musicians” BBC RADIO 2 (UK) “In a class of their own” THE GUARDIAN (UK) “Remarquables de virtuosité et de grâce” TRAD Magazine (France) "The mood is ever changing - sometimes haunting, sometimes boisterous but always magical. The pair's imaginations know no bounds" THE BRISBANE COURIER-MAIL (Australia) "Blazing guitar and dancing harp" DIRTY LINEN (USA) "String magic of a special kind... a perfect duet... extraordinary." PFORZHEIMER ZEITUNG" (Germany) "Simply magnificent" RHEINPFALZ (Germany) “Their stagecraft was masterly and their introductions informative and funny” THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS (New Zealand) “Their blinding technique, sizzling Irish reels and hot jazz improvisation brought an extended standing ovation... Newman has the great gift of being informative and hilarious simultaneously” THE WEST AUSTRALIAN “This celebrated duo took the place by storm. Stately Carolan tunes, jazzy Django-ish numbers, dazzling Doc Watson style flat picking fliers, driving Irish dance tunes - this pair can nonchalantly do the lot. Guitar players applauded and went sadly home to burn their instruments!” THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH (Ireland)
