Winner of the II International Chamber Music Competition for Flute & Guitar in Spain (2023), Meraki Duo have spent the past decade performing extensively in the UK with programmes which offer a distinctively diverse pairing of flute and guitar. In 2025 they recorded their debut album on Delphian Records, scheduled for release on 11th September 2026.
Premièred in 2020 at 1901 Arts Club, London, Meraki Duo’s first substantial commission À Norte, Rio Preto, by Berlin-based Brazilian composer Rafael Marino Arcaro, was recorded at Goldsmiths Studios and released as an EP in 2024.
In their recitals, flautist Meera Maharaj extends the expressive range of the duo by featuring the alto flute in a number of works and their programmes uniquely incorporate a breadth of arrangements by James Girling, of music spanning Messiaen through to Hermeto Pascoal.
Meera Maharaj and James Girling both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, where they immediately connected through a shared passion for chamber music, jazz, Latin American music traditions, and contemporary works. Formed in 2013, Meraki Duo have since performed year-round for recital series across Britain, at venues such as Wigmore Hall and Kings Place, and festivals including Buxton International Festival and London Guitar Festival. Meraki Duo were selected for the International Guitar Foundation’s Young Artist Platform in 2020, and were 2019 finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition.
More information: Meraki Duo
This concert in in memory of Skipton Music’s former president Brian Davies and is sponsored by our private patrons and donors
SKIPTON MUSIC’S 79TH SEASON OPENS WITH ELEGANCE AND VIRTUOSITY
Skipton Music’s 2026-27 season kicked off with a stunning recital of music for flute and guitar, performed by Meraki Duo, with Meera Maharaj on flute and James Girling on guitar.
Their programme, drawn mostly from their recently released album Notes from the Living Room, was wide-ranging in both style and geography, consisting of classical, folk and jazz music from America, Japan, Macedonia, Argentina, France and Brazil.
William Grant Still’s Three Songs, in one of many arrangements by James throughout the programme, was played elegantly and soulfully by the pair, with Meera introducing us early on to the gorgeous tones of the alto flute. This was followed by two sensitive performances of music by Tōru Takemitsu and the first half concluded with incredibly detailed playing from both musicians as they tackled exuberant folk melodies from Macedonia, reimagined by Mirolslav Tadić.
The second half opened with a heartfelt rendition of Astor Piazzolla’s Café 1930, followed by two delightful pieces of very early Messiaen, reminiscent of Ravel and Debussy. But perhaps the highlight of the evening was the breathtaking rhythmic drive and virtuosity, as witnessed in their performance of two pieces by the wildly inventive Hermeto Pascoal – a new composer to many in the audience, but one that they will surely want to find out more about. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening from a duo who are definitely going places.
Next up, on Tuesday November 3rd, is a recital from two of the UK’s most exciting musicians, mezzo soprano Helen Charlston, accompanied by pianist Sholto Kynoch, with a programme of song built around Schumann’s Dichterliebe.
Pete Stollery
Click here to sign up for Listening Club! Welcome to the Skipton Music Listening Club. Each month, we choose a piece of music which is being performed in that month's Skipton Music Concert and the week before the concert, we meet online to listen and have a chat about it - hopefully with some special […]
Skipton Music Podcast: Chamber Music at Skipton Town Hall Click HERE to listen to podcast Season 1, Ep. 1 In this episode Arthur Keegan (composer and Concert Secretary for Skipton Music) chats with James Girling from Meraki Duo who will open the Skipton Music series at Skipton Town Hall on September 29th 2026. We discuss when and how […]
