American-born harpist Emily Granger and Australian classical guitarist Andrew Blanch, although they both live in Australia, started playing together when they worked as artists in residence on a Canadian campus. They’ve performed together 50 times since.

It is an unusual pairing of instruments in the classical world – more common in Celtic folk and South American traditions – but listening to this gorgeous Suite Mágica release from ABC Classic you have to wonder why we don’t hear it more often. In the hands of this duo, harp and guitar are the perfect match.

Granger, who is Principal Harpist with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, has lived in Australia for seven years and has appeared with such musical stars as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and soprano Renée Fleming. Blanch has collaborated with several Australian artists including Ensemble Offspring. Many of the works on the album were featured in an online Standing With Sydney concert streamed in the 2021 lockdown.

Brazilian classical guitarist and composer Marco Pereira draws on his country’s folklore for his Fantasia...