vln&harp

duo

51

Since their first meeting to discuss a possible collaboration, when both Gabriela and Oliver turned up on 10 year old folding Micro scooters, they knew they would probably get on well. Their instruments, combined, have 51 strings, and so Duo 51 was born (Oliver would like to note that he brings more to this part of the partnership than Gabriela).

They have performed across the UK and Europe, and their debut album of Ravel transcriptions was described as “Breathtaking! Idiomatic perfection” (UKHA Magazine). They have just finished recording a new album featuring works by the jazz bassist and composer Misha Mullov Abbado, due to be released in August. They performed their world-first violin and harp version of the Ravel 2nd Violin Sonata at the Ryedale Festival in the UK and Przemyska Jesień Muzyczna in Poland.

The genesis of their projects is usually an outlandish idea from Gabriela (“can you play Tzigane on the harp?”), followed by a short period of complaining and then begrudging acceptance from Oliver. They enjoy sharing their music in the concert hall, in smaller more intimate venues, and in schools and outreach projects.

They lead busy freelance lives in London, and between them have played in every major concert hall in the UK. As well as Duo 51, Gabriela is a conductor, and Oliver is a chemistry consultant.

Oliver Wass

https://www.oliverwass.co.uk

Gabriela Opacka-Boccadoro

https://opackaboccadoro.com