International Guitar Foundation (IGF) established its Guitar in London series concerts in 2019 to feature IGF Young Artist Platform performers premièring IGF’s newly commissioned repertoire, in shared concerts with established guitarists, including artists making UK debuts. During these difficult Covid-restricted times, IGF has focused on supporting its YAP recipients, both its past and present, offering them shared concerts. This Sunday afternoon series also wants to encourage young people to listen to live music and offers free tickets to under-18 year olds.

Two separate acts: Sergiu Hudrea (guitar solo), and Meraki Duo: Meera Maharaj (flute) and James Girling (guitar).

Sergiu Hudrea  

Hans Werner Henze (1926–2012)
Drei Tentos 
Litha Efthymiou (b. 1980)
A Light Went Out [IGF La Leona commission]
Atefeh Einali (b. 1990)
Three Dots [IGF La Leona commission]
Sally Beamish (b. 1956)
Unquiet

The young Romanian guitarist, Sergiu Hudrea began performing from a very young age, giving recitals across Europe and in the UK. In 2011, after winning the National Music Olympics two years in a row, the Romanian Ministry of Education awarded him with the Diploma of Excellence. One year later, he obtained the Ambassador Award for Cluj by the City Hall of his beloved hometown, Cluj-Napoca and was invited to give a recital for the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company. He has won many prizes at international competitions throughout the world. After completing his studies in Romania, he studied at the École Supérieure Musique et Danse Hauts-de-France in Lille. He is now completing his Masters at the Royal Academy of Music, London, working on solo and chamber ensemble projects.

Meraki Duo: Meera Maharaj (flute) and James Girling (guitar) 

Lowell Liebermann (1961)
Sonata for flute and guitar, Op. 25
[PRS: ( mins)]

Effy Efthymiou (b. 1980)
Swarming [première: IGF La Leona commission]

Rafael Marino Arcaro 
À Norte, Rio Preto: –
I. Lento e deciso, ma con spirito
II. Vivo e selvaggio

Meraki Duo

Meraki Duo’s programmes offer a distinctively diverse pairing of flute and guitar, incorporating James Girling’s arrangements of works which range from Messiaen’s ‘5 Leçons de solfège’ and the Brazilian folk-fusion of Hermeto Pascoal to settings of jazz standards – originally commissioned from him by Jacqui Dankworth and Craig Ogden. In 2020 at London’s 1901 Arts Club, Meraki Duo premièred À Norte, Rio Preto, a 20-minute work written for them by the Brazilian composer Rafael Marino Arcaro. In their recitals, Meera Maharaj extends the expressive range of the duo by featuring the alto flute in works such as Takemitsu’s Toward The Sea and Miroslav Tadic’s Four
Macedonian Pieces.

Meera Maharaj and James Girling both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, where they quickly connected through a shared passion for chamber music, jazz, Latin American and European folk, and works by contemporary composers. Formed in 2013, Meraki Duo were selected for International Guitar Foundation’s Young Artist Platform 2019/20. In 2019, they were finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition (Mixed Ensembles) in London. They enjoy performing in recital series and festivals from Northumberland to Cornwall and at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Kings Place and the Bridgewater Hall.

As Live Music Now artists since 2018, Meraki Duo bring performances into the wider community, giving workshops and interactive concerts across the country in schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities and in care homes.