Strings & Keys: A Dialogue of Guitar & Piano

23 July, 7:00 PM

An evening celebrating the rich and expressive world of chamber music for guitar and keyboard, Strings & Keys brings together four masterpieces of the 20th century in a program that moves from lyrical intimacy to rhythmic vitality and neoclassical brilliance.

Featuring acclaimed performers Nathan Sinclair (guitar) and Sangmi Kim (piano), this concert explores the unique dialogue between two instruments that rarely meet on equal footing, yet here blend seamlessly in colour, texture, and expression.

The program opens with Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Fantasia for Guitar and Piano, Op. 145, a work of sweeping lyricism and sparkling virtuosity. This is followed by Gnattali’s Sonatina No. 2, infused with Brazilian rhythmic character and heartfelt nostalgia.

Ponce’s Sonata for Guitar and Harpsichord brings a refined neoclassical voice to the evening, balancing elegance with expressive depth. The concert concludes with Rodrigo’s beloved Concierto de Aranjuez (piano reduction), featuring its iconic Adagio—one of the most moving melodies in the classical repertoire—framed by vibrant and dance-like outer movements.

From contemplative beauty to spirited interplay, Strings & Keys offers an immersive journey through the expressive possibilities of guitar and keyboard in dialogue.

Artist Biographies

Sangmi Kim

Pianist Sangmi Kim is an acclaimed soloist and collaborative pianist who recently completed her PhD at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne, under the supervision of Professor Jerry Wong and Professor Michael Christoforidis. Her doctoral project on the solo piano music of Alicia de Larrocha received outstanding commendations from external examiners, who praised both the exceptional performance standards and the significant scholarly contribution of her research.

An artist of international pedigree, she studied at the The Royal Conservatory in Toronto under Professor John Perry before completing a Master of Music degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under Professor Norman Krieger.

Praised by critics and examiners for her poised, colourful, and deeply communicative artistry, she is celebrated for her vibrant musical personality and warm, refined tone. Her doctoral performance portfolio, acclaimed as a definitive exploration of Alicia de Larrocha's piano works, bridges world-class artistry with original scholarship, positioning her as a leading voice in the preservation, performance, and study of Spanish keyboard literature.

Nathan Sinclair

Nathan Sinclair is an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist whose career includes awards in the Australian International Guitar Competition, the Concurso Internacional Joaquín Rodrigo, the Singapore International Guitar Competition, and the Tokyo International Guitar Competition. Nathan has performed across Asia, Europe, and the Americas as a soloist and in collaboration with renowned classical and contemporary artists. In 2021, Nathan commenced a PhD at the University of Melbourne, specialising in Spanish guitar performance practice and the music of Joaquín Rodrigo.