Krutzen/McGhee DuoHeidi Krutzen and Lorna McGhee are re-envisioning the traditional flute and harp duo. Exploring the full expressive capabilities of their instruments they are surprising audiences with a richness of sound, kaleidoscopic colours and dynamic range rarely heard from the flute and harp. Their fresh approach extends beyond interpretation to the commissioning of new works each year as part of a vibrant musical continuum.
Both Heidi and Lorna are accomplished soloists and orchestral musicians in their own right. Heidi is the principal harpist with the CBC Radio Orchestra and Vancouver Opera, and has been guest principal harpist with numerous Canadian orchestras including the Toronto Symphony. She was recently a featured soloist at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, and has recorded as concerto soloist with the Latvian National Symphony. Heidi currently teaches at UBC and serves on the faculty for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Lorna was formerly the co-principal flutist with the BBC Symphony, England, and has been guest principal with the London Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony. She has given concerto performances with the London Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Victoria Symphony and currently teaches at UBC.
As a duo, Heidi and Lorna have given concerto performances in Canada and the United States, including a gala performance of Mozart’s Flute and Harp concerto at the 2004 National Flute Association Convention. They have played at many of the premiere chamber music festivals in North America including the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Sitka Summer Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival and Strings in the Mountains, CO. Their performances have been broadcast on Netherlands Radio, CBC and NPR radio stations. The Duo’s first CD “Taheke, 20th century masterpieces for flute and harp” was released on the Skylark
label in 2004 to critical acclaim. This disc featured the Duo’s first commission, “Taheke” by New Zealand composer, Gareth Farr. The Duo has since commissioned three new works from Canadian composers, all of which are featured on their new CD “Canada, New Works for flute and harp.” Heidi and Lorna have given recitals and masterclasses at many North American universities, as well as outreach tours for the Piatigorsky Foundation in the United States. In 2006 they were guest artists at the British Flute Society Convention. Upcoming highlights include a collaboration with the Shanghai Quartet at the 2008 Oregon Bach Festival. Throughout the season they have a rich and diverse recital schedule, often joining forces with distinguished string players, wind players and percussionists in the pursuit of interesting and unusual repertoire! In this way, Heidi and Lorna hope to raise the profile of their instruments and expand the repertoire, presenting relevant and vital programs in concert and on disc.