Wednesday night’s concert, in the intimate setting of Teatro Vivaldi was an evening to celebrate the long-lasting musical friendships and relationships in the band as much as the excellent performance. Two sisters, harpist Ní Chathasaigh and fiddle player Casey and their partners combined their talents to present an evening of great warmth. The ensemble usually performs as two duos, or as soloists, but Heartstring is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

While the repertoire encompassed American old-timey music (Tom Cronin’s Homework), compositions by Casey, (The Shooting Star and Fort of the Fairy Queen) Newman (Wild Goose Chase) and Ní Chathasaigh (Reel of Peace and Beara Peninsula), as well as Irish and Galician traditional tunes, the thoughtful arrangements, joyful tune selection and the communication between the musicians kept the sense of continuity strong.

Casey’s fiddle style is founded on firm classical training and she combines tasteful vibrato and a rich tone with impeccable traditional ornamentation to create her signature sound. With one of the most fluid bowing arms in the traditional music scene, she effortlessly switches from slow airs to American quicksteps to sizzling Galician pipe tunes. Despite battling a bad cold, she sang three songs, the discipline of her training guiding her through. Among the Heather learned from her mother was memorable for the skilful ornamentation and lilting melody.

Ní Chathasaigh – harpist, par excellence - and Newman – virtuoso guitarist – were introduced to Canberra audiences during the bicentennial year and returned for subsequent concert tours. Their contrasting styles of traditional harp repertoire and an eclectic blend of guitar influences create a unique performance. Newman and McGlynn worked together to complement guitar solos and accompaniment to keep the mix spacious. McGlynn’s dry wit, as quick as the flat-picking of his reels, provided several outrageous explanations for the provenance of a set of Jigs: Miss O’Sullivans and The Priest in His Boots.

There is often a remarkable spirit of generosity in performances of Irish music and this concert was no exception. The listener feels enriched by experiencing a performance by artists from a country where art, literature and music are so widely valued as precious commodities. May we receive many more shipments of this rich cultural export.

THE HEARTSTRING QUARTET
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman. At Teatro Vivaldi, 8.30pm, Wednesday, June 4, 2014.