Gershwin’s Christmas Jazz Piano by Candlelight – ‘Rhapsody in White'

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

"Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert" (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide)

"A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts." (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe Magazine)

"Matthew Shiel shone" (⭐⭐⭐⭐Three Weeks)

Moonlight Concert Productions have imagined a Christmas show inspired the first Christmas films ever made, New York jazz piano improv, and our great British tradition of Christmas carolling.

Tonight’s musical programme includes the most iconic jazz pieces ever composed: Joplin’s rags The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, Gershwin’s showstoppers Summertime and Rhapsody in Blue alongside jazz improv upon favourite Christmas carols – by intimate candlelight and alongside a digital art exhibition designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – inspired by silent Christmas films such as the original A Christmas Carol (1910) and Santa Claus (1898) - the oldest Christmas movie ever made!

Tonight, we create an immersive Christmas experience which cannot fail to cure the 'winter blues' and have you clapping along! Merry Christmas!

PROGRAMME

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

Summertime (from Porgy and Bess, arranged for piano) – George Gershwin

The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, Spotlight Rag, Paragon Rag and Stoptime Rag (from his complete Rags) – Scott Joplin

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin

and Jazz improv after Christmas carols including: Good King Wenceslas, O come all ye faithful, Silent Night and more

FILM SHOWINGS

Santa Claus (1898) - 2'

The Christmas Dream (1900) - 4'

The Night Before Christmas (1905) - 9'

The Insects' Christmas (1913) - 6'30"

A Little Girl who did not believe in Santa (1907) - 10'

A Christmas Carol (1910) - 6'30"

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 Yitong Shen

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 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