BY CUTCOMMON
Back in 2017, we had a chat with brothers Ziggy and Miles Johnston, who spoke to us about their experience of performing together.
After all, they’ve been sharing the stage since they were kids, hitting up eisteddfods and taking over the airwaves of ABC Classic FM and 3MBS.
Having just been accepted into the Juilliard School of Music, this dynamic family duo shows no signs of stopping.
We had a chat with Miles and Ziggy about programming their two upcoming recitals at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the exciting adventures they have ahead of them.
Last time we had a chat with you was in 2017. How have you developed as an ensemble in the years since?
MILES: We’re always developing and improving, as musicians. We’ve come a long way in these two years, and we’ve become more in tune with ourselves, each other, and the music we perform.
Congratulations on your two upcoming recitals at the Melbourne Recital Centre: Globetrotting, and Classical Masterpieces. Why did you choose these themes and the repertoire that goes with them?
M: We’ve had the idea for the second concert in our Local Heroes series this year, Classical Masterpieces, for some time. Our duo repertoire previously had a large hole in it, since before we had mainly performed modern works. We wanted to fill this hole because the period really has some incredibly well-written music.
We searched for some of the most significant works from the classical period that we knew could work on guitar. We chose Mozart’s Sonata in A (K331), the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, and Rossini’s Overture to the Barber of Seville. From there, it was easy to find arrangements.
ZIGGY: Our upcoming concert, Globetrotting, features guitar duo music that takes influences from around the globe. For example, we have two pieces by Italian composer Carlo Domeniconi: Prana and Sonata in tre movimenti.
Prana is inspired by Hindu philosophy and spiritualism, while the sonata is dedicated to the memory of Manuel Ponce, a Mexican composer and scholar whose works were influenced by ancient popular songs and Mexican folklore.
In addition, we have works from France, Spain and America, and one work that takes influence from Japan. The theme for this concert represents modern music as a whole, where people can easily sample and take influences from any culture. It allows us to show you some old and new favourites of ours. The concert really has something for everyone!
Who influences your playing, and how do you influence each other?
M: Because we do lots of solo playing, as well as duo, we have become quite different players. This coincidentally has benefited our duo as, in a way, our strengths cover each other’s weaknesses. It also means we have a lot more ideas to workshop during rehearsal.
Our biggest influence so far has been the Grigoryan brothers – particularly Slava, as he has been our teacher and mentor since 2013. However, we’re always listening to incredible musicians from every instrument and genre, and taking inspiration from their strengths.
What are some of the challenges, and dreams, that are facing your future in the performance of classical guitar duets?
Z: I wouldn’t say we have any challenges, at the moment. We’re just navigating our way through the music scene, and trying to perform as much as possible to the highest standard that we can.
The most exciting opportunity coming up for us is that we both have been accepted into the Juilliard School of Music to study the Master of Music, commencing in September of this year. We don’t know what direction our lives will go, but we are excited for the unlimited possibilities that we have. We will meet and collaborate with amazing musicians at the top of their field, as well as learn from the incredible Sharon Isbin.
Besides playing and performing with the guitar, what keeps you busy?
M: Because music takes up so much of our lives, we don’t get a lot of time to do much else, especially because this year is incredibly busy for us. Right now, when we aren’t practising or performing, we are working on applications for grants to assist us in funding our tuition and accommodation whilst studying at Juilliard. We are also Suzuki guitar teachers.
See Ziggy and Miles perform as part of the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Local Heroes series this April 18 and July 9.
Image supplied.
