Music
Prestigious award nomination for Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera’s production of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande is in the running for a prestigious cultural award. They haves been nominated for The South Bank Sky Arts Award for Opera, to the delight of the company. Sir David McVicar made a welcome return to Scottish Opera to direct Claude Debussy’s iconic opera for the first…
Read MoreThe joy of six with Hò-rò’s new album Hex
Released last Friday, HEX is the eagerly awaited second album by Hò-rò who boldly promise a very unique sound drawing inspiration from their, now six, individual musical approaches. As is my habit prior to reviewing albums, I listened to the band’s previous offering simply entitled Hò-rò, as a reminder of what had gone before. The…
Read MoreCaledonia singer will headline Boat Festival
Renowned Scottish singer songwriter Dougie MacLean is to headline this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival. Dougie, famed for the song Caledonia, is set to travel to Portsoy in Aberdeenshire, to perform at this year’s festival. Dougie, who celebrates more than 40 years of performing, will headline the Festival’s Friday Night Gig at the Green event…
Read MoreJust over a week to go until Argyll music festival
Argyll’s biggest open-air live music event is set to take place next weekend. OBANLIVE, taking place on 8 and 9 June, has launched two new films targeting people out with Argyll, as well as maritime visitors, following an award of £11,250 from EventScotland, part of the national tourism organisation’s Events Directorate. The videos have been…
Read MoreBand pays tribute to Scots Manchester attack victim
Skipinnish has released a charity single in memory of Manchester attack victim, Eilidh MacLeod. One year on from the attack at Manchester Arena, the Scottish trad band are raising funds to help build a permanent memorial on the teenager’s home island, Barra. In the wake of the tragedy, Angus MacPhail – accordionist and founder of Skipinnish…
Read MoreScots fiddler and Austrian piper produce a sumptuous nugget
The Pipe Slang is a translation from the Gaelic song Feadan glan a’ phiobair, a tune of which Simon Fraser comments in the appendix to his famous 1874 collection. “In the words of the pipe slang, the noisy rattling piper of a country wedding draws a ridiculous comparison betwixt his own music and that of…
Read MoreA lifetime of events brought together in one album
This Has Been Me Since Yesterday is the culmination of a lifetime’s song writing for Glaswegian, Alex Weir and with more accessible recording technology now available, the 77-year-old has been able to create a fine album of his songs which at the time of writing were not intended for public release. How lucky we are…
Read MoreFormer Mercury Prize nominees set to play in Scotland
Former Mercury Prize nominees the Portico Quartet will head to Edinburgh next month. The group will play at the Summerhall this summer, on 20 June. Portico Quartet has always been an impossible band to pin down. Sending out echoes of jazz, electronica, ambient music and minimalism, the group have created their own singular sound. And while…
Read MoreA free introduction to chamber music
A concert with acclaimed pianist Jocelyn Freeman is coming to the Scottish Borders. This free event, in conjunction with Live Music Now Scotland, gives members of the public the opportunity to experience exceptional chamber music in the beautiful surrounds of the Picture Gallery at Paxton House, in Berwick-upon-Tweed. These taster sessions are designed to be…
Read MoreSearch for new RSNO assistant conductor
Scotland’s national orchestra is looking for an assistant to new music director Thomas Søndergård. Applicants are invited to submit their credentials for consideration by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) for the position of RSNO assistant conductor, which starts this autumn. The RSNO assistant conductorship is a two-year post and is a rare opportunity for…
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