About

Musique Royale presents Conundrum in a virtual concert from St John’s Anglican Church. Conundrum is the dynamic flute and harp duo of Jack Chen and Ellen Gibling. Conundrum balances classic repertoire with challenging and innovative recent compositions, in particular new works by Canadians. Conundrum’s virtual concert will premiere Bob Bauer’s “Tears in the fragile web of memory” and is released via Musique Royale Facebook and YouTube channels on Saturday November 28th at 7:30 pm.

Program

• Jean Cras - Suite for Flute and Harp (1927)
• Bob Bauer - Tears in the fragile web of memory (2018 - premiere)
• Mendelssohn - On Wings of Song
• Elgar - Salut D’Amour

About Conundrum

Conundrum is the dynamic flute and harp duo of Jack Chen and Ellen Gibling, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A versatile and exploratory ensemble, Conundrum balances classic repertoire with challenging and innovative recent compositions, in particular new works by Canadians. The duo has expanded its horizons by collaborating many other artists, including Sue Sayle (viola), Janice Jackson (soprano), Shawn Mativetsky (tabla), Fifth Wind (woodwind quintet), and Susanne Chui (dance). In addition, the duo has performed with Musikon Concert Society, the Music Room Chamber Players, Inner Space Concerts, Wired! (Acadia New Music Ensemble), and in 2017 created its own multi-disciplinary children’s show: Deep Sea Conundrum.

Jack Chen, flute

Flutist Jack Chen has shared the stage with such diverse artists as Amy Grant, Bobby McFerrin, Jeanne Lamon and Sir James Galway. He has also appeared in PBS television music specials and toured with Tim Janis, Finnouala Gill, and EMI artists Giorgia Fumanti, Ryland Angel and “Siren.” He earned his degrees in flute and early music performance from Indiana University, and has studied with flutists Jeanne Baxtresser, William Bennet, Robert Dick, Patrick Gallois, Sarah Jackson, Bart Kuijken, Robert Langevin, Emmanuel Pahud, and jazz legend, David Baker. With a tremendous love for chamber music, Jack performs regularly with Conundrum Duo and Fifth Wind, a Halifax-based woodwind quintet.

In addition to performing and teaching, Jack is the Artistic Director of Inner Space Concerts (InnerSpaceConcerts.ca) and will be heard in recitals and concerts throughout the Maritimes during the 2020/2021 season. An instructor of Flute at Acadia University, Jack also gives regular masterclasses and clinics.

Ellen Gibling, harp

Harpist Ellen Gibling holds a BMus in harp performance from McGill University, and an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick. As an orchestral harpist, she has performed with Symphony Nova Scotia, the World Youth Orchestra of Jeunesses Musicales, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. As well as playing with Jack in Conundrum Duo, Ellen is a member of many chamber music ensembles and bands including the award-winning improvisation quartet New Hermitage, the orchestral pop band The Heavy Blinkers, the Irish traditional duo Ragged Robin, and the Irish traditional trio Síle. Ellen is a harp instructor at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, and has also taught at Acadia University, the University of Limerick, and the Canadian International Summer Harp Institute.