Hebrides Today

News from the Western Isles

Great music at Hebridean venues

Posted by Editor On February - 18 - 2009

A PROGRAMME of remarkable touring arts events for 2009 has now started at the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye, organised by SEALL the area's events promoters.

A recent award winning play and a forthcoming concert are connected by the theme of effects of War in the 1940s on different communities in Poland. Last week a packed house at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig saw the thought-provoking 'Tailor of Inverness' theatre piece, about a post-war Polish émigré to Scotland.

In this one-man play with music from Johnny Hardy, Matthew Zajac acted both as his own father and himself, deservedly winning the award for best solo-performance in last year's Edinburgh Fringe.

Despite the winter conditions the house was packed and the play warmly received by an audience, some of whom had their own similar tales to tell, and for all of whom migration of the dispossessed had a resonance.

 

The Hebrides Ensemble will visit An Lanntair, Stornoway on February 23rd and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye on February 25th with a concert, supported by visual images, of music that grew out of the horrors of World War II in central Europe. This is part of a Scottish Arts Council 'Tune-up' Tour.

 

Seventy years ago Europe was teetering on the brink of war. Great music not only survived but thrived. It was composed and performed in the worst of circumstances, offering solace, hope and joy.

In 'On the Brink' the amazing 'Hebrides Ensemble' play works by Hans Krasa, Gideon Klein and Bela Bartok, set against a backdrop of striking visuals of the time. This programme is built from great pieces of music written in moments of tragedy and adversity. The aim is to highlight the power of music and art to transcend these seemingly hopeless situations and respond with an defiantly, strong vision of hope.

 

The Hebrides Ensemble has built a reputation as Scotland's foremost chamber group, touring frequently throughout Scotland, appearing at international music festivals and broadcasting regularly on BBC Radio 3.

Its concerts are acclaimed for their imaginative and innovative programming and for the outstanding quality of performance. For its work in 2005 Hebrides Ensemble was nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Society award.

Tickets for ‘On the Brink’, which starts at each venue at 8pm are on sale on the night and for more upcoming events at both venues see: www.anlanntair.com and www.seall.co.uk

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