Gershwin’s Jazz Piano by Candlelight – ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

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

"Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert, relating amusing, enlightening stories to introduce each piece; his eloquent performance expresses a dramatic, emotional mood from sad and sorrowful to light-hearted and lyrical, oozing a joyful sense of romantic love." (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide)

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

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

Moonlight Concerts return to Edinburgh with a musical show inspired by 'The roaring 20s’ of Tin Pan Alley, New York; the rise of the Nazis and their violent repression of cabaret and jazz in 1930s Berlin; and Scott Joplin’s musical mission to end segregation across the American South.

Tonight, these world-changing musical events meet in a swinging, toe-tapping tour of jazz piano led by the acclaimed concert pianist and storyteller Matthew Shiel. His musical programme includes the most iconic jazz pieces ever composed: Joplin’s The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, Schulhoff’s Charleston and Gershwin’s showstoppers Summertime and Rhapsody in Blue – by intimate candlelight and alongside a digital art exhibition and light installation designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience which cannot fail to cure the ‘blues’ and have you clapping along!

Please note: Tonight’s performance is in memory of the Jewish composer Erwin Schulhoff (1894 – 1942) – who for the ‘crime’ of composing avant-garde jazz music was executed by the Third Reich.

PROGRAMME

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

Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) – George Gershwin

The Entertainer,  Maple Leaf Rag, Spotlight Rag, Paragon Rag and Stoptime Rag – Scott Joplin

Blues, Chanson and Charleston (from Cinq Études de Jazz) – Erwin Schulhoff

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 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