Works for harpsichord by contemporary composers Asako Hirabayashi, Edwin McLean, and Sheli Nan explore the affinity between modern melody and historic dance forms in a programme that proves that dance is never far from the surface in new or early music. The Ibero-American fandango and tango— which owe a debt of ancestry to dances and ceremonies brought to Europe and the Americas by enslaved people from Africa—share the spotlight in this concert. Also included are Scherzo and Street Music by the award-winning Hirabayashi, who appears as a special guest performing several of her own pieces. Three virtuoso harpsichordists are joined onstage by the ConTempo Quartet’s renowned violinist Bogdan Sofei and award-winning dancer Yovanna Torres Blanco. The performance is crowned by two audience favourites: a new arrangement for two harpsichords by Malachy Robinson of Astor Piazzola’s Libertango and Boccherini’s Fandango as the concert finale.

Bogdan Sofei, violin
Yovanna Torres Blanco, dance
Rachel Factor, Asako Hirabayashi & Yonit Kosovske, harpsichords
Vlad Smishkewych, castanets