Classical guitarist Duncan Gardiner has performed across the globe both solo and with other instrumentalists, he also sings, composes and teaches as well as being an ambassador for classical music.
But as Gardiner’s told Joe Cassidy his passion lies in composing.
“It was with me since I was a child,” he said, “before I could even play instruments I was making up my own songs.”
Originally from Perth, the Sydney-sider moved east late last year to pursue opportunities in creating film scores, “I was tossing up whether to move to Sydney or Europe -classical music is thriving over there-and classical music in Perth has a limit to it’s scope, so to continue performing I had to leave,” he said.
Sydney is also a place to help him stir the passion he has for composing music, particularly for film and television.
“It’s a good place (Sydney) to follow up on leads, sometimes in Perth you meet someone at a party, like a filmmaker, and talk about something but you wouldn’t really make the call later and talk about the film,” he said, “whereas here I’ve been chasing it up a bit more and making things happen.”
For only being in the city for a few months he sure has been busy, performing at this year’s Fairday at the Sydney Mardi Gras, singing in the Gay and Lesbian Choir, taking time to tutor aspiring acoustic guitarists and recording a tango album with musical partner and housemate, violinist Dora Maria.
“Another reason I moved to Sydney was because my long term duo partner, we play guitar and violin, moved to Sydney last year and told me about the thriving performance scene,” he said.
The pair goes by the name Duo Diavolo, and has been making music together since 2003, there latest release ‘Tangos and Latin dances’, promises a sultry blend of sexy guitar and intense violin, inspired by the Spanish genre.
It has been recorded, edited and the artwork is complete, it’s just waiting to be manufactured in the coming months.
Gardiner is not one to rest and wait for opportunity to present itself, he is constantly on the look out for new opportunities to perform, compose and record.
“I have been busy finding work but also promoting my older work, my CDs, it’s a daily thing and of course there is practicing every day, I try to do at least two hours a day and then there is rehearsing with Dora” he said.
One project on-the-go is with an electric Ukulele player from Brisbane who he met at a party and they spoke about doing a Spice Girls tribute night together in May.
“It’s with all this crazy and slightly more classical arrangement. I mentioned that my housemate plays the violin, she’s in a string quartet, and said how about we do a ukulele, guitar and string quarter? And he said that would be fantastic!”
His ability to perform classical guitar in a range of styles and with a mixture of collaborators sees him earning rave reviews from classical music aficionados and has him constantly finding working.
He is also performing with his group Fiddlesticks in the education section of the company Musica Viva that connects young audiences to small chamber orchestra groups throughout Australia.
Alongside a violinist and cello player, the trio will play classic and contemporary tunes recognisable to students to help engage them with an intimate classical musical concert.
“We had to record a CD and a DVD and stage a one hour education concert, we’re re-educating the students through the music,” he said, adding he is pleased to be able to share his love of classical music to a younger audience.
With a full performance schedule that involves some major events on the New South Wales classical music calendar, as well as educating students, daily practice, performing in various groups, writing film scores and singing in the Gay and Lesbian choir this writer questioned whether he will make time for his home town.
“I’m coming in June for show development and hopefully I can do a gig at the Ellington,” he said.
We hope so too.
Joe Cassidy
