9 Oct 2019

The duelling guitars

From Upbeat, 1:00 pm on 9 October 2019

Guitar duo Jane Curry and Owen Moriarty have just released a new album. They chat about the recording process, their recent tour with the NZ Guitar Quartet and their nerdy obsession with their nails.

Owen Moriarty and Jane Curry

Owen Moriarty and Jane Curry Photo: Supplied

Jane Curry and Owen Moriarty, one half of the New Zealand Guitar Quartet, have gone off on their own to record and release a new album.

The album, Music from New Zealand for Two Guitars, was released on Naxos. It is one of three finalists for the Vodafone Music awards classic artist section along with Simon O’Neill and Bella Kristova with Michael Houstoun.

Owen Moriarty and Jane Curry

Owen Moriarty and Jane Curry Photo: Supplied

It wasn’t a simple process recording the album though. There are very few compositions for just two guitars in New Zealand. The duo hopes their recordings might pluck inspiration for other composers to create more works for this combination.

They even worked with composers, including John Psathas, who wrote a solo piece for Curry. But through a collaboration, it was turned into a duo piece.

Guitarist's fingernails (Jane Curry and Owen Moriarty)

Guitarist's fingernails (Jane Curry and Owen Moriarty) Photo: R Jaquiery

They chat with David Morriss about their adventures, recording the album and their nerdy obsessiveness on keeping their nails in the right condition.