NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS
21st-Century Australian Guitar Music BALLAM-CROSS • DAVIES • D’NETTO HARRISON • SDRAULIG • YOUNAN Hamish Strathdee, Guitar Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle, Guitar Guitarist Hamish Strathdee’s collaboration and strong artistic connection with the Australian composers featured on this recording testify to his deep belief in working closely with composers to bring new music to life. The serious intent of Harry Sdraulig’s Sonata also displays exuberant playfulness and contemplation, contrasting with the virtuosity of Elizabeth Younan’s Fantasia No. X , and the calmly intense portrayal of Australia’s Carnarvon Gorge in Paul Ballam- Cross’s This Wide Quietness . The strange dances of Connor D’Netto’s Tarantism form a set of miniatures, while the gentle softness of Olivia Bettina Davies’ In Flow preludes the bluegrass, jazz and rock music sound world of Holly Harrison’s Bee’s Knees . Key features: • This diverse programme consists entirely of world premiere recordings, including three works commissioned by the Duo. The composers represented here each bring strong credentials, among them Harry Sdraulig , known for collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott, and widely performed, award- winning figures such as Connor D’Netto , Holly Harrison and Elizabeth Younan . With booklet notes written by the composers themselves and state-of-the-art recording quality, this album is a distinguished addition to our ever-collectable Guitar Collection series. • Appearing here in their Naxos debut, the Contra Guitar Duo was formed by Hamish Strathdee and Emma-Shay Gallenti- Guilfoyle while at university. They released their debut EP Contra on the Move label in May 2023 and have since made numerous concert appearances across Australia. • Contra Guitar Duo’s earlier recording Contra (2023) featured works by Segovia, Houghton, Puccini and Tansman, showcasing their love of lyricism, complex rubato and colour. Critical responses were enthusiastic: The Music Trust praised ‘the tone is liquid amber … the phrasing is quite exquisite,’ while O’Connell the Music highlighted their ‘flawless confidence in each other’ and ‘sensitively structured partnership.’ These reviews underline the Duo’s artistry and vitality, qualities that shine through in their Naxos debut.
8.579175 Release date: 27 Nov 2026
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Listen to an excerpt from SDRAULIG, H.: Sonata for Solo Guitar: I. Moderately LISTEN
Harry SDRAULIG (b. 1992) 1 – 3 Sonata for Solo Guitar (2025) Elizabeth YOUNAN (b. 1994) 4 – 6 Fantasia No. X for Solo Guitar (2025) Paul BALLAM-CROSS (b. 1989) 7 This Wide Quietness (2022) Connor D’NETTO (b. 1994) 8 – ! Tarantism – Suite for Guitar (2015–16) Olivia Bettina DAVIES (b. 1988) @ In Flow (2020) Holly HARRISON (b. 1988) # – % Bee’s Knees (2025)
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