Michala Petri, recorder & Lars Hannibal, guitar

PROGRAM

Michala Petri is the leading player of instruments of the recorder family. Her repertoire spans works from the Baroque, Classicism, Romanticism and extends into contemporary music. And it is precisely this versatility that lies behind her special appeal as an artist: Michala Petri has in many ways expanded - indeed broken down - the boundaries of her instrument family. In her hands the recorder is not a 'tributary' to the great river of 'important' instruments, but itself becomes a major instrument. From the beginning of her career she has been a leading figure in the commissioning of works from composers, more than a hundred works have been written for Michala Petri by composers such as Malcolm Arnold, Vagn Holmboe, Per Nørgaard, Daniel Börtz, Gordon Jacob - the list is constantly growing.

Alongside her interest in contemporary music, Michala Petri continued to make and play transcriptions of music from the Baroque to the Romantics long before it became known that in Classicism and the Baroque absolutely original works for the recorder could be found. "This justifies my stubbornness and my instinct for the possibilities of the instrument," says Michala Petri, and stresses that in her transcriptions she has carefully selected pieces that suit the nature of her instrument.

In keeping with her ambition to emancipate the recorder and its repertoire from restrictive views of its proper place in the world of the Baroque, Michala Petri has always liked to play with ensembles and instrumentalists whose primary interest is not Baroque music, such as Claudio Abbado, Heinz Holliger, Gidon Kremer, Christopher Hogwood, Henryk Szeryng, Pinchas Zukerman, Keith Jarrett and many others. The sound of music is Michala Petri's prime concern: "Music is the important thing, not the instrument - for me it happens to be the recorder. My aim is the best possible appropriate expression of the music. With that in mind, obviously I also have to consider other things - the concert hall, the audience and of course the people I play with." This modesty - coupled with her firmness, as far as musical priorities are concerned - permits Michala Petri to play as easily with early music ensembles such as Musica Antiqua Cologne.

So that her instrument, the recorder in its various manifestations, could assert itself and make an impact acoustically, Michala Petri's has always been interested in extending its limited dynamic potential. With that in mind she has actively collaborated with instrument-makers, and in recent years has applied her experience to the development of a new type of flute that incorporates her ideas. "With this instrument, which has more dynamics and compass, I can give better expression to the music of Romanticism with more freedom and naturalness in my expressive range", thinks Michala Petri.

The fact that Michala Petri knows no technical limitations naturally stimulates her delight in musical experimentation. It is not only in the area of classical music - with orchestras, in chamber music ensembles and in duets with Lars Hannibal - that the sparks fly: a collaboration with Keith Jarrett kindled an interest in jazz - today she plays with among others Palle Mikkelborg - and in the music of other cultures. Her great fascination in this respect is China, and working with one of the greatest virtuosos on the xiao (bamboo flute), Chen Yue, and one of the great players of the pipa (lute) from far Cathay (Yan Jiang), as well as Lars Hannibal, she is experimenting with intercultural cooperation and - no surprise here - has already commissioned works from Chinese as well as European composers.

Petri/Hannibal Duo - Conversation, companionship and communication – these are the keywords in the universe of Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal. A continuous dialogue – with oneself, with each other and with the audience – is crucial for creating the performance without which music becomes reduced to some notes on a sheet of paper.

With their music, these two artists have reached a maturity and technical superiority that inevitably shift the focus. Into to room, into the hall. And this to a degree where the contact with their audience becomes almost tangible. They capture the atmosphere in such a way that encourages audiences to discover that a concert with Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal is an exceptional experience that strikes the chords of the heart.

Whereas Michala Petri has a long standing as one of the world’s most supreme instrumentalists, Lars Hannibal’s wide experience from various ensembles enables him to create both harmony and contrast. Together, they form a synthesis that attracts attention worldwide.

While showing the greatest respect for music and the concert medium, Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal succeed in creating a relaxed atmosphere that opens up the audience for entering into the spirit of the music.

The Petri/Hannibal duo began in summer 1992 with a concert in the Monastery La Cartuja de la Sierra in Andalusia, Spain.  Since then, they have performed extensively in Europe, North and South America, Japan, China and Korea, giving more than a thousand concerts in a repertoire spanning from late renaissance and early baroque, over the classical and romantic periods, to contemporary music written especially for the duo.  They have played in many of the world's major Concert Halls and Festivals, and released 4 cds together.  In 2001, their third cd Kreisler Inspirations received the prestigious Deutscher Schallplattenpreis.  Their latest cd Siesta, featuring Latin-inspired music, was released on their own recording company OUR Recordings.  Under repertoire you can find 2 examples for a recital programme.

www.michalapetri.com

www.larshannibal.com