Toad Lane Concerts: Rascallity Harp Duo

Rascallity Harp Duo

To hear a solo concert harp live is a rare thing. To hear a pair of them is extraordinary. These two first rate musicians have made several appearances at Toad Lane Concerts since they formed their duo as students at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). They acknowledged that the acoustics in St Mary in the Baum Church are ideal, allowing a full range of playing to project beautifully.

Alice Roberts (pictured above right) graduated first-class from the joint course of Manchester University, where she gained awards for the highest mark in 2016 and 2018, and the RNCM, where in 2020 she became the first harpist to win the Gold Medal.

Soloist and teacher Kathryn Mason (pictured above left) similarly gained a first-class BMus and a master’s from the RNCM. Both are now freelancers and play solo and with a wide range of ensembles in assorted styles and genres. Variety certainly is the spice of their lives.

They began with two of their own arrangements: Einaudi’s I Giorni and the premiere of Kitty Macgennis by Turlough O’Carolan. Their fluent symbiotic playing relationship seems to create a double harp.

Kathryn took the first solo, Tickled Pink by Savourna Stevenson - before the seamless working together of pieces by Ailie Robertson and Monika Stadler’ in their unique duo sound.

Alice’s solo was her own transcription of Dido’s Lament by Henry Purcell which, being Baroque, was a stunning contrast. The repeated bass pattern throughout is a descending chromatic scale, which requires skilful manoeuvring of the foot pedals as well as playing a melody with accompaniment – fantastic.

‘John R’ by Dorothy Ashby was interesting as the duo’s name ‘Rascallity’ (and spelling) came from a famous number by this ground-breaking American jazz harpist of the 1960s: very exciting complete with drumming and slaps on the instruments.

An atmospheric arrangement of the modern folk hit, Black Is the Colour arranged by Alice ended with a touch of swing. This took us into her arrangement of the well-known ‘Caravan’ by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol, a real toe-tapping slinky finale number.

One harp is heavenly, two divine - a celestial duo indeed.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson