A Burns Night Hootenanny – ‘Tam O’ Shanter’

A dram of whisky, kilts, sporrans and a dramatic reciting of Rabbie Burns’ great Tam O'Shanter meet Scottish folk music, masterpieces inspired by the beauty of Scotland and a sing-along performance of his world-famous Auld Lang Syne. Tonight’s musical programme includes the most haunting Scottish melodies ever composed: Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Farewell to Stromness, Burns’ Lea Rigg and Mendelssohn’s Overture to the Hebrides – by intimate candlelight. Award-winning concert pianist Matthew Shiel and renowned author Alastair Sim meet alongside a digital art exhibition and lightshow designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience which the press are calling “a ripping good yarn. 5 stars!”

“The absolute highlight of the night was when Sim declaimed Burns’ epic poem “Tam o’ Shanter”: all about witches, demons, and a haunted, hectic horse ride.  Sim would read several stanzas and then pause while Shiel punctuated the performance from selections from a “Tam o’ Shanter” musical arrangement, making for a ripping good yarn.”

“Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts.”

(⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe Magazine)

PROGRAMME

Farewell to Stromness – Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

Sechs Ecossaisen (‘Six Scottish Dances’) – Ludwig van Beethoven

Locheil’s March – Traditional

Lea Rigg – Robert Burns (arranged for piano by Alexander Reinagle)

Mol’s Plate – Traditional

Overture to the Hebrides (‘Fingal’s Cave’) – Felix Mendelssohn (arranged for piano duet)

Tam O’ Shanter – Robert Burns (with piano accompaniment by George Warren)

Auld Lang Syne – Robert Burns

Matthew Shiel

'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tonight's Storyteller: Alastair Sim

Alastair Sim is an author, performer and history/ ghost tour guide. Along with short stories and play scripts he has had two novels published. Rosslyn Blood is a comedy thriller set around the mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel. The Unbelievers is a Victorian detective novel-of-ideas set in Edinburgh and the Highlands. Alastair also leads tours of Edinburgh’s underground vaults and Greyfriars Kirkyard, during which guests frequently report paranormal experiences.

Moonlight

Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.'

Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all.

moonlightconcerts.co.uk

Host or Publisher Matthew Shiel