Scottish Ensemble, the UK’s only professional string orchestra, give their first ever concert series on Shetland. Working in association with Shetland Arts, as part of the group’s 2015-16 season, they will bring three contrasting chamber music concerts to the island, showing the focused possibilities of sound that can be achieved with a smaller group of outstanding musicians.
The series begins on Tuesday 29 September with a rare and exciting performance from musical husband-and-wife team Jonathan Morton and Clio Gould. They will perform a selection of duos on the violin and viola respectively entitled Mozart, Madrigals and Mavericks, a captivating and varied collection of pieces spanning the sacred and the secular, including duos from Mozart, Bartok and Bach.
This will be followed by a concert on Friday 26 February showcasing quintets from two masters of the form – Mozart and Brahms, including Mozart’s Quintet in G Minor and Brahms’ magnificent Opus 111, which was allegedly intended as his last ever work. Finally, on Thursday 21st April, violin and cello get a close up as violinist Cheryl Crockett and cellist Alison Lawrance perform a selection of duos, including an arrangement of Halvorsen’s Passacaglia for Violin and Viola.
Fraser Anderson, General Manager of the Scottish Ensemble said, "Since coming to Shetland in 2013 for our first ever residency, we have been looking to build upon the connections and relationships made during our four-day stay. With the nature of chamber music concerts, this series is a chance for Shetland audiences to really get to know our individual players, who will be performing a wide-ranging selection of quintets and duos.”
The SE are also due to return to Shetland in 2016 for a further four day residency. Bryan Peterson, Head of Creative Opportunities at Shetland Arts said, ‘It’s brilliant to welcome the Scottish Ensemble to Shetland once again, and are looking forward to working with them in the coming years to develop a regular programme of classical offerings.’
The Shetland concerts have been made possible by the support of Inkster’s solicitors. Brian Inkster said: “Inksters are delighted that our partnership with Scottish Ensemble, which brought Seavaigers and a mini-residency to Shetland in 2013, has now turned into a longer term relationship for the benefit of the Shetland community. On the back of winning the Arts & Business Placemaking Award for our partnership in 2014, it is very fitting to see us cementing this and ensuring a place on Shetland for Scottish Ensemble for years to come.”
Tickets for all three concerts will be on sale through Shetland Box Office on Monday 8 June, and include a classical season ticket, which entitles customers to free entry to one concert if all three concerts are booked at the same time.
http://www.shetlandboxoffice.org/whats-on/mozart-madrigals-mavericks
