Following their performance at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections in January, the Scottish Ensemble will perform a series of concerts across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, celebrating the shared language and musical heritage of Ireland and Scotland from 5 – 12 March 2005.

Irish pianist and composer Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, whose writing for combinations of traditional and classical musicians opens up whole new musical experiences, will once again direct the performances:

"Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin is one of the few musicians to have succeeded in finding a happy medium between the contrasting and often contradictory demands of folk and classical music, often with a distinct dash of jazz thrown in." - The Scotsman

The programme features traditional Irish songs performed in Irish Gaelic. The words of some of these songs will also be translated into Scots Gaelic and read at each venue by a local Scots Gaelic speaker. The Scottish Ensemble was one of 12 organisations (out of over 200 applications) to receive a Tune Up grant from the Scottish Arts Council.

Announcing the tour Heather Duncan, General Manager of the Scottish Ensemble, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the 2004/05 Tune Up initiative, giving us the opportunity to bring this exciting fusion of traditional and classical performance to a range of local venues across Scotland - a fantastic evening of music, language and culture."

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin - composer, arranger, piano
Niall Keegan                - flute, whistle
Sandra Joyce               - vocals/bodhrán

Scottish Ensemble Quartet
Jonathan Morton          - violin
Cheryl Crockett           - violin
Jennifer Christie            - viola
Donald Gillan                - cello

 

TUNE UP TOUR DATES

Saturday 5 March - 8pm Columba Centre, Bowmore, Islay Tickets: £6 (£4 concession) - 01496 810818 Advance booking advised
Monday 7 March - 8pm EdenCourtTheatre, Inverness Tickets: £10 (£8 concession, £6 students, £5 children) - 01463 234234
Tuesday 8 March - 7.30pm Macphail Centre, Ullapool Tickets £8 (£6 concession) - 01854 613336
Wednesday 9 March - 8pm Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye Tickets £12 (£5 students/children) Reservations - 01471 844207
Thursday 10 March - 8.30pm *** CHANGE OF VENUE *** SalenChurch, Salen, Isle of Mull Tickets: £10 (£8 concession) - 01688 302211
Friday 11 March - 8pm Àrainn Shuaineirt/Sunart Centre, Strontian Tickets: £8 (£5 - Senior Citizens/Under 18s; £3 - Under 14s) - 01397 709228
Saturday 12 March - 7.30pm Festival Theatre, Pitlochry Tickets: £14 (concessions & group rates available) - 01796 484626