Room to manoeuvre
You should expect the unexpected when MR MCFALL’S CHAMBER are around, says Kenny Mathieson.
ow do you define the most unclassifiable
musical organisation in Scotland‘.’ liyen Robert
McFall struggles for a precise description. ‘I don't really know.‘ he says. ‘\\'c are a group of predominantly classical musicians getting together to play in other styles — I think that‘s about the only way l can describe us. I don't like the word crossoycr. because it has some rather tawdry associations now. The difficulty of defining what we do can make it a bit of struggle getting people to giye us a chance unless they have heard it: it‘s very hard to describe in print.’
The eclectic chamber music ensemble will launch a new DVD at the Queen‘s Hall in the first of two concerts they will perform in the l-‘ringe. The DVD. functionally called Lire at I/It‘ Queen's Ila/I. was shot at that venue last year. and features the kind of eclectic mix of music that has become their trademark.
The programme takes in ja// pianist .lohn Taylor’s haunting ‘Rosslyn’. King ('rimson‘s 'l)iscipline' and ‘Matte Kudasai’. and Weather Report’s '.'\ Remark You Made’. alongside music by ‘new tango' master .i\stor Piazzolla and the cartoon music of Raymond Scott. The project also features yideo projections by artist John McGeoch of Arts in Motion.
‘The programme for the Queen's llall gig is going to be close to the music on the DVD. although it won‘t be entirely the same.‘ says Meliall. ‘\\'e‘ll do a piece by Frank Zappa as well. and one by ja// clarinetist liddie Daniels. with Max Martin as a guest soloist.‘
The groups other guests on the night will include singer Valentina Montoya Martinc/. a regular contributor to their tango-based projects. and jaw musicians Phil Bancroft tsaxesl and (‘hick Ly all (piano). Like most of the regular line~up. .\la\ Martin is a member of the Scottish (‘haniber ()rchestra. as is their other guest. flautist Alison Mitchell.
()f the core group of players. Meliall and (ircg Lawson are the yiolitiists. Brian Schicle plays \iola. Su-a Lee is the group's cellist (and look out for her celebrated party-piece on musical saw in 'Matte Kudasai‘). and Rick Standley' plays bass. The piano chair in the group has been generally occupied by another classical musician. (iracme Mc.\'aught. when his commitments allow. but more recently l’hil
38 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE »'-
Alexander (of 'I‘angalgo and Moishc’s Bagel fame) has filled that role. and w ill do so again here.
The group first appeared on the scene in NW). after Mcl-‘all's sons. who he had regularly picked up from gigs at clubs. challenged him to play in a late night cnyironmcnt. They hayc dipped into rock. ja//. tango and folk sources for their material. taking in artists as diyerse as '/.appa. Richard Thompson. Little l‘cat. lilyis ('ostello and .limi llendris along the way.
The /anicr side of their repertoire has ineyitably brought them attention. but the ensemble hayc also clocked up an impressiye track record in performing music front the more serious end of contemporary composition. They gayc the [K premiere of .lohn
:\dams‘ :ll/(fig'm/ Ihlllt'us'ul lllL‘ late. lamented ('afe (iraffiti back in l‘)‘)7. and hay c performed I I works by James MacMillan. .»\r\o l’art and (iiytt Kitnclteli. in the second til~ their liringc appearances when they join forces with the lidinburgh—bascd Dunedin ('onsort in a be different from the Queen‘s llall outing. ‘.lohn Butt is conducting. and it will be a misture of instrumental and sung pieces. including a combined
That side of their
music will be on show
concert that will mark the centenary of the late Sir Michael Tippctt. :\s Mcl‘all esplains. that concert will
performance by us and the Dunedin (’onsort of
Tippett's ‘(‘row'n of the Year". a setting of poctns by ('hristopher l‘ry in which four famous queens of lingland are associated with a different season of the year. We’ll also hayc a new work by the (ilasgow composer William Sweeney for string quartet. dottblc ltttss ttlltl \ttlc't‘s.~
Queen’s Hall, 668 2019, 10 Aug, 11.30pm, £14 (£12); St Mary’s Cathedral, 226 0000, 18 Aug, 7.30pm, £10 (£8).
“(HI/s (lg/-
CROSS P0llINAT|0N
Mr McFall’s Chamber aren’t the only genre busting act at the Fringe. Doug Johnstone picks out five of the best music mashers.
THE TIGER LILLIES This Grammy-nominated trio are a mental mix of high camp opera. English music hall, gypsy folk tunes and the saucy Parisian torch songs. all performed in a sick and twisted laShion. The Splege/ Garden. 0737 226 0000, 75, 77.8 78 Aug, 7pm (8pm on 78Augj, £3.70
TRACHTENBURG FAMILY SLIDESHOW PLAYERS
Half an installation, halt tashion nightmare. this entertaining trio make slideshows cut of abandoned prints and provide a live soundtrack. dad Jason playing piano and guitar. mum Tina Operating the slides and daughter Rachel playing drums. Pleasance, 5:36 6550. 3—29 Aug rnot l5). 7.20pm, £77 l--£.‘l() I'L‘960—E850,‘
CROFT NO 5
A gang of Highlanders determined to bring traditional Scottish music up to date. Funk, rock and dance all get thrown into the mix. With sampled beats sitting alongside acc0rdion and z-vhistle. Acoustic Music Centre (of:- St Brides. 346 7405. 26 Aug, 10.300m, $.70 (L8)
SAUL WILLIAMS Williams is a New York street poet turned rapper. whose muescal backdrop starts wrth Io- li and hip hop. but goes pretty much everywhere. from heavy metal to electro to show tunes. Part of T on the Fringe: see our Otters Page for ticket giveaways. Cabaret Voltaire. 0870 769 0700. 22 Aug, 7pm. {‘9
BOOTHBY GRAFFOE & ANTONIO FORCIONE Comedian, piaywright and intislclan Graftoe teams up again with aCOustiC gurtar virtuoso Forcione for an evening which promises to be as daft as it is rntrSIcally impressive. Assembly Assembly Hall, 226 2428. 27 Aug, midnight,
£.‘ 12.50.