Gershwin's Christmas Jazz by Candlelight - 'Rhapsody in White'

Following their ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and sold-out show in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,

Moonlight Concert Productions have pioneered a new Christmas show inspired by The ‘roaring 20s’ of Tin Pan Alley New York, Scott Joplin's rag The Entertainer, jazz improv and our great British tradition of Christmas carolling.

Tonight’s musical programme includes the most iconic jazz piece ever composed: Gershwin’s showstopper Rhapsody in Blue – by intimate candlelight and 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 cannot fail to cure the ‘blues,’ take you back in time and have you clapping along!

Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the interval. Merry Christmas!

PROGRAMME

Jazz improv after Christmas carols including:

Good King Wenceslas

O come all ye faithful

God rest ye, merry Gentleman

In the bleak midwinter

The Holly and the Ivy

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Whilst humble shepherds watched their flocks

We three Kings of Orient are

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Joy to the World

In Dulci Jubilo

We wish you a merry Christmas

Silent Night

I Got Rythym, The Man I Love, Swanee and Strike up the Band (from his Songbook) – George Gershwin

The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin

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.

Emma Shen is a Chinese visual artist currently resident in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has collaborated with Disney, BBDO, FCB, Ogilvy and her illustrations, installations and paintings are exhibited internationally. Emma aims to capture the essence of emotions and imagination on canvases. Utilizing both traditional and digital tools, she uses luminescent colors, creative composition to unveil unique perspectives on the ordinary. Emma's illustrations, installations, and paintings are regularly showcased in exhibitions and commercial events internationally. Her work is a testament to the boundless possibilities of imagination and the ability to transform the mundane into captivating visual narratives.

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 ambition is to blend high-art conservatoire performance standards with experimental and boundary-pushing attitude of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Moonlight is also inspired by our relationship with Live Music Now Scotland, a charity who challenge musicians to reach audiences who would not normally have access to classical music.

Our aim is to make classical music accessible for all and to make classical music (which is often performed in 19th century etiquette and presentation) appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience.

moonlightconcerts.co.uk

Host or Publisher Matthew Shiel