Submitted by Patricia Silver
Celtic virtuosos Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain created magic on August 18 with their simple yet stunning pieces based on traditional Irish and Welsh themes and harmonies. Dublin native Aoife Ní Bhriain is one of Ireland’s foremost traditional fiddle players and a renowned international classical violinist. From the west coast of Wales, harpist Catrin Finch has built an impressive classical career. Together they meld styles to create a unique, ethereal sound.
The concert began with a piece that emulates a flowing river, with only harmonics on the violin. Simple themes are repeated over a bass drone on the harp. As the music builds, the violin begins to trip across the strings, increasing in intensity. Then the duo weaves to a gentle ending and back to violin harmonics.
The next piece began with pizzicato on the violin, almost evoking the sound of a music box or toy piano. The harp gently picks up the simple theme. The violin increases intensity through arpeggios as the harp strengthens the theme with slapping. The interplay becomes more complex and intense, ultimately culminating in a resolution of the theme.
There was a piece about an amazing journey where the harp sets a dark tone with repeated chords. The violin and harp then play lines off each other, dancing with the interactions. Another tune was reminiscent of a Scottish anthem, but described by the artists as “a little bit British and a little bit Welsh”. In the piece “Bright Lights” Finch beautifully caressed the harp, becoming one with the instrument. In “Why”, from their album, the music is bold and pulsating, emulating Middle Eastern sounds with Celtic licks.
Bhriain brought out a Hardanger fiddle, used in Norwegian folk music. It creates a haunting sound by its extra set of sympathetic strings. The four playing strings are bowed in the usual way, plus four or five “understrings” which run under the fingerboard. It reminds you of a resonant hurdy gurdy.
The room felt like we had been transported to another world, possibly into space, floating above the earth. The music was very repetitive but hypnotic. The concert was a truly enjoyable exploration of old traditions and new ideas from two extraordinary musicians.
Their 2023 debut album, “Double You” on the Bendigedig label, blends compositions from Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Pietro Locatelli with traditional Celtic music. Each track on the album begins with the letter ‘W’, spoken as ‘Double You’. The tracks allude to the many striking parallels that bind Finch and Bhriain. It is a testament to the duo’s strong musical bond, and the universal story of having the courage of self-exploration, leading to creating something extraordinary. The record hit Number 1 in the iTunes Classical Charts and the World Music Charts Europe, Number 2 in the Transglobal World Music Charts, and received a nomination for Best Album in the 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.