Naiades – the river nymphs became the name of the ensemble thanks to the work “Naiades” by William Alwyn, as this is exactly where the collaboration between harpist Feodora Johanna Mandel and Martina Silvester.
The ensemble loves unusual programs with compositions ranging from medieval music to Ravi Shankar and develops thematically oriented programs and concept concerts from them. The duo also has concerts for children in its repertoire.
Excerpts from programmes
„The world of Pan“
A moderated concert entirely devoted to the life of the demigod Pan, who does not live on Mount Olympus like the other gods, but in the forest together with many animals. He loves his animals and the forest, just as he loves the nymph Syrinx. Pan is not particularly popular, but without him there would be no such thing as the first flute, nor would there be the work ‘Syrinx’, which has become an indispensable part of flute literature. (With works by Jules Mouquet, William Alwyn, Claude Debussy, Alphonse Hasselmans, and others).
Hidden in the Enderle ceiling fresco “The Feast of the Gods”, Pan – god of shepherds, the forest and nature – watched as harpist Feodora-Johanna Mandel and flautist Martina Silvester followed in his footsteps, conjuring up a glittering chamber music necklace with pearls of impressionism (…). The Donauwörth audience celebrated the magnificent performance of the two artists with bravos and rapturous applause.
(from Donauwörther Zeitung from October 12, 2016)
„Between Heaven and Earth“
The programme features compositions and poems that capture both the lightness of the sky and the rootedness of the earth. It transports listeners to a world full of light, shadows, dreams and natural imagery. (With works by Claude Debussy, Astor Piazzolla, Tōru Takemitsu, and others).
„The contest between Pan and Apollo“
A concert for children aged 3 and above
The shepherd god Pan has a tough time, being only half god and half goat. That is why he does not live on Mount Olympus like the other gods, but in the forest with all the animals. Apollo, the god of the arts and music, on the other hand, is admired by all and is a star on Mount Olympus. But both love to make music – Pan on his flute and Apollo on his harp. So, who is better? Pan wants to find out and challenges Apollo to a contest … (With works by Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, Jules Mouquet, Jacques Ibert, and others).
When Feodora Johanna Mandel (harp) and Martina Silvester (flute) make the Kaisersaal resound as the Duo Naiades, they do so with great clarity, liveliness and sophistication and away from the usual chamber music concerts. And they do it extremely charmingly. (…) What they give on this evening is poetry in sound and words.
There is then a declaration of love to all mothers, which is also astonishing proof that even Heintje and Elvis Presley fit wonderfully into a classical concert. (…) Two excellent artists have come together in “Duo Naiades”.
(from the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper, 15 May 2019)