Long-awaited new album from piper John Mulhearn

Simply entitled Pipes, this is the first full album that renowned piper and tutor John Mulhearn has released for nine years. Recorded at St Mary’s Place in Appin, chosen for its acoustic, capable of reflecting the singular voice of the great highland bagpipes, John brings together his undoubted performance skills along with a creative spirit…

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Opera in Concert series to open with Scottish premiere

Scottish Opera’s 2018/19 Opera in Concert series opens with the Scottish premiere of Edgar by Giacomo Puccini. It will be performed on Sunday 28 October, at Theatre Royal Glasgow. A gem from the world of verismo opera, Puccini’s rarely-performed second opera was commissioned following the success of Le villi, which was performed as part of…

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Happy 50th birthday to the Tannahill Weavers

Taking the name from the Gaelic for golden, Òrach is a particularly apt title for the Tannahill Weavers’ 50th recording as it marks the 50th anniversary of the band. Yes, I had to check that as well – the Tannies are 50 years old! So how does one go about reviewing an album like this?…

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Orion String Trio to visit UK with Swiss Ambassador

An annual music showcase connecting Swiss culture with communities across the UK is coming to Edinburgh. This year is the 21st anniversary of the Swiss Ambassador’s Award. Since 1997 award recipients tour the UK on a joint cultural/trade mission with the Swiss Ambassador to the UK, presenting both the musicians and Switzerland as an open,…

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Food, music and drink at this weekend’s Bowfest

Inveraray Castle in Argyll is hosting the 8th Best of the West Festival (Bowfest) this weekend. This year’s event, which started yesterday (Friday) features an impressive line-up of music, food and drink from the west of Scotland and beyond, taking place in the castle grounds until tomorrow (Sunday). There’s a daily line-up of the 25…

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Paws for thought – this is music for dogs

A man who’s written songs for Rod Stewart, Westlife, Busted, Cliff Richard and Sandi Thom has turned his hand to something new – music for dogs. Songwriter John McLaughlin, who also appeared as the music coach on BBC’s Fame Academy and being the current manager of the Bay City Rollers, has teamed up with the…

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Clock is ticking until the reveal of album of the year

The winners of the 2018 Scottish Album of the Year Award are set to be announced tonight (Thursday). The judging panel for the event has been announced, encompassing 11 tastemakers from across creative industries. The panel includes co-founder of independent record label Fast Product – Bob Last, former Strawberry Switchblade member Rose McDowall, BAFTA winning…

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Scottish Opera’s new season opens with Rigoletto

Scottish Opera’s 2018/19 season is set to begin with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto. A revival of the 2011 production by award-winning director Matthew Richardson and designer Jon Morrell, it will open at the Theatre Royal Glasgow on October 18, before the production tours to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness. This tragic tale of seduction and revenge, set…

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Ancient Gaelic poetry is given 21st century twist

A new musical piece of work showcasing ancient Gaelic poetry with a modern twist will be debuted by award winning young Gaelic singer Mischa Macpherson at next month’s Blas Festival. Mischa’s commission, Bho Èirigh gu Laighe na Grèine – Sun, Moon, Land, Life, Sea, is a suite of new Gaelic songs, incorporating ancient Gaelic poetry,…

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The Railway is on track to capture some history

In 2016, Hamish Napier was commissioned by Karen Blessington of the Grantown East: Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre, to compose and record a soundtrack encapsulating the essence of the once derelict Grantown East railway station and the people whose lives were dominated by its existence. Not an easy task, but a challenge Hamish has surely…

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