The Sutherland duo will undertake a mini-tour of the Far North, with a scintillating programme of virtuosic classical works for violin and piano, featuring composers such as Mozart, Brahms and Gershwin. Broughty Ferry pianist Christina Lawrie met violinist Harriet Mackenzie at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they subsequently discovered shared Sutherland ancestry in the Strath of Kildonan and Strath Halladale, hence the name of the duo.

Harriet Mackenzie is a young violinist now building an international reputation after her acclaimed Purcell Room début in 2003. She has toured Europe, America and Japan as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. In 2004 Harriet gave her highly acclaimed Wigmore Hall recital debut as part of the Park Lane Young Artists Series. Since then she has given recitals in prestigious venues including the Purcell Room and St Martin-in-the-Fields. She has broadcast recitals 'live' for BBC Radio 3 and for Hungarian National Radio

Hailed as a Rising Star by the magazine International Piano, Christina will make her debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2009, playing Grieg's Piano Concerto at Dundee's Caird Hall. Christina was a prizewinner at the Marsala International Piano Competition and the Royal Overseas League Piano Competition. She has also won the Scottish Arts Councils's prestigious Dewar Award. She loves touring the Highlands, and recently inaugurated Music Nairn's new Steinway piano. She also made a recital tour of Argyll and Bute in January. .

"Vibrantly intense, hypnotic playing from Harriet Mackenzie" - The Strad

"Christina Lawrie is a young pianist of formidable intellect and boundless technique" - The Observer

The Sutherland Duo mini-tour - Harriet Mackenze, violin & Christina Lawrie, piano
06/08/08 10 am - 4 pm - Lyth Arts Centre, Caithness. Violin and Piano workshops. Call 01955 641 270 to enquire about participation. All levels welcome. Tickets £8.50 and £5

07/08/08, 8 pm - Lyth Arts Centre, Caithness. Violin and Piano recital. Tickets £12. Members and Concessions £10
Lyth Box Office 01955 641 270 http://www.lytharts.org.uk

08/08/08 7 pm - Woodwick House, Evie, Orkney. Violin and Piano recital.
Box office 01856 751330 http://www.woodwickhouse.co.uk

10/08/08 7 p.m. Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. Violin and Piano recital. Tickets £8 & £6, with £1 off for Friends of Eden Court.
Box office 01463 234234 http://www.eden-court.co.uk
http://www.harrietmackenzie.com
http://www.christinalawrie.co.uk