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Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to suzanne@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Carol Main & Tasmin Campbell. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry Thursday 16
Glasgow FREE Kelvingrove Organ Recitals Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. 1pm. Free lunchtime organ recitals every day by different organists.
✽✽ Facing North St Bride’s Episcopal Church, 69 Hyndland Road,
www.mcfalls.co.uk. 7.30pm. £10 (£8). Robert McFall and friends launch their 2010/11 season with a performance of Shostakovitch’s Piano Quintet, Olli Mustonen’s Toccata and two pieces by Grieg. ■ Les Sirènes Christmas Concert Mackintosh Church, Queen’s Cross, 870 Garscube Road, 946 6600. 7.30pm. £6 (£4). Female ensemble composed of current RSAMD students and graduates. ■ RSNO: Big Band Christmas Party Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12–£32 (£6–£16). See in a swinging Christmas as Eliot Murray directs the RSNO Big Band through an eclectic and enjoyably cheesy selection of seasonal tunes, including Silent Night and Les Brown’s The Swingin’ Nutcracker. With star trumpeter Bruce Adams. ■ Scottish Ensemble: Candlelit Concert Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12–£14.50 (£5–£11; students £3 with Fonic card). The Scottish Ensemble continues to add its own spin to the traditional Christmas concert, with an intimate candlelit soirée of contrasting Czech music: Dvorák’s Serenade for Strings and Janácek’s Kreutzer Sonata (arr Jonathan Morton) – one lyrical and folky, the other frenetic and capricious. ■ Swingin’ into Christmas RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. 7.30pm. £10 (£7). Once again, singers from the Musical Theatre programme are joined by the RSAMD Big Band in a festive programme that’s sure to get your toes a- tapping.
Edinburgh ■ Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Christmas in Paris The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 7.30pm. £9–£27 (concessions available). A concert of works evoking the twinkly magic of a Parisian Christmas. Louis Langrée conducts Haydn’s Symphony No 86, nicknamed after the city, together with Ravel’s luscious Ma Mère L’Oye, Fauré’s Elegie and Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No 1 with guest soloist, Shanghai cellist Jian Wang. Perth ■ Royal Air Force Association: A Battle of Britain Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, 01738 621031. 7.30pm. £15 (£12.50). The band of the Royal Air Force College and the Perth Choral Choir join forces to bring you a parade of Christmassy music. Mince pies and mulled wine included.
Friday 17 Glasgow ■ Swingin’ into Christmas RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. 1pm. £10 (£7). See Thu 16. ■ Cappella Nova: Carols by Candlelight Barony Hall, Rottenrow East, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £8–£19. The acclaimed early music vocal group is joined by Thistle Brass for a selection of seasonal favourites. ■ Raymond Gubbay presents: Hayley Westenra Glasgow Royal
Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £21–£30. Star singer Hayley Westenra is joined on stage by Thomas Oliver from the choir Only Men Aloud for a concert of music including ‘O Holy Night’ and other seasonal hits and carols. ■ Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Christmas in Paris City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £11.50–£25 (concessions available). See Thu 16. Edinburgh ■ Ludus Baroque: JS Bach Christmas ■ Oratorio Canongate Kirk, Royal Mile. Tickets: 668 2019. 7.15pm. £17.50. Richard Neville-Towle directs the chamber orchestra’s annual performance of Bach’s sacred masterpiece, composed for the Christmas celebrations of 1734 and still a mainstay of the festive season 275 years on. Featuring soloists Marie Arnet (soprano), Robin Blaze (alto), Simon Wall (tenor) and William Berger (bass.) ■ Facing North St Mark’s Unitarian Church, 7 Castle Terrace, www.mcfalls.co.uk. 7.30pm. £10 (£8). See Thu 16. ■ RSNO Christmas Concert Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. 7.30pm. £12–£32 (£6–£16). A quintessentially Christmassy multimedia event, with a screening of Raymond Briggs’ classic animation The Snowman accompanied by Howard Blake’s score, alongside carols and music performed by the RSNO Junior Chorus conducted by Christopher Bell. FREE The Faculty of Advocates Choir Christmas Concert The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 8pm. The Faculty Choir has performed all over Europe, and here visits Edinburgh with its Christmas concert. All donations go to the Edinburgh City Mission.
Dundee ■ Scottish Ensemble: Candlelit Concerts Marryat Hall, City Square, 01382 434940. 7.30pm. £14.50 (£5–£11). See Thu 16.
Saturday 18 Glasgow ■ RSNO Christmas Concert 2010 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 3pm & 7.30pm. £12–£32 (£6–£16). See Fri 17. ■ Glasgow Cathedral Choral Society Glasgow Cathedral, Castle Street, 552 8198. 7pm. £10 (£8; family ticket £25). A mix of modern and traditional Christmas music, with some audience participation carols to get you in the festive spirit.
Edinburgh ■ Cappella Nova: Carols by Candlelight The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 7.30pm. £8–£19 (concessions available). See Fri 17. Clackmannan ■ Christmas Concert Clackmannan Town Hall, Main Street, 01786 470247. 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Annual Christmas concert from Clackmannan Brass Band accompanied by the Clackmannanshire Choral Society.
Perth ■ Scottish Ensemble: Candlelit Concerts St Ninian’s Cathedral, North Methven Street, 01738 627982. 7.30pm. £12–£14.50 (£5–£11). See Thu 16.
Sunday 19 Glasgow FREE Kelvingrove Sunday Organ Recitals Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. 3–3.45pm. Sunday promenade concerts with different organists. ■ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Christmas at the Movies City Halls, Candleriggs, 353
8000. 3pm. £10–£23 (under 16s £5). Nothing kicks off the festive mood like a good festive movie, and the BBC SSO’s hugely popular annual concert presents the glitzy best of seasonal Hollywood film music. Presented by Jamie MacDougall and conducted by Stephen Bell. FREE Carols for Peace Glasgow City Chambers, George Square. 3pm. Community carol service led by the Lord Provost. ■ Christmas Cracker Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £16–£25. The City of Glasgow Chorus and Orchestra presents an evening of festive favourites, popular classics and tunes from stage and screen. Come prepared for a singalong! ■ Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 586 5195. 7.30pm. £12. The choir performs seasonal favourites with help from pianist Anna Mavromatidi and mezzo-soprano Lynda- Jane Workman. Edinburgh FREE Christmas Organ Recital: Jeremy Cull Reid Memorial Church, 182 West Saville Terrace, 662 1203. 4pm. Popular music for the festive season.
Dundee FREE Carol Service St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1 High Street, 01382 224486. 5pm. Bring in the Christmas season with the cathedral carol service, followed by fruity mulled wine and yummy mince pies. ■ A Renaissance Christmas by Candlelight St Salvador’s Episcopal Church, Church Street, 01382 221785. 7.30pm. £7 (£5). Modern life is rubbish. Enjoy some Renaissance-style entertainment with choral music group Cantiones Sacrae.
Stirling ■ Carol Concert Stirling Castle, Old Town, 01786 450000. 7–8.30pm. £12 (£9). Lively carol concert with the National Youth Choir of Scotland and storytelling from costumed performers.
Monday 20 Glasgow ■ Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 586 5195. 7.30pm. £12. See Sun 19. ■ Springfield Cambridge Festival Chorus and Orchestra Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12–£14. A line-up of top soloists joins the chorus and orchestra for a festive concert featuring arrangements of American carols and gospel songs. All proceeds go to the Children’s Hospice Association (Scotland).
Tuesday 21
Glasgow ■ Bothwell Philharmonic Choir Charity Christmas Concert RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. 7.30pm. £13.50. Led by director Mark Donnelly. ■ Raymond Gubbay presents: Christmas Carol Singalong Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £21–£30. Craig Hill presents a concert that does what it says on the tin - join the Scottish Concert Orchestra and the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union for Christmas favourites including ‘Let It Snow’, ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’ Dundee FREE Lunchtime Carol Service The Old Steeple Church, Nethergate, 01382 206790. 12.30pm. A rousing carol singing session followed by tea and mince pies.
Perth ■ Dunedin Consort: Handel’s Messiah Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, 01738 621031. 7.30pm. £10–£20 (£8;
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✽✽ Facing North Chamber music with a difference from Mr McFall’s Chamber who appear with guest Scottish pianist Graeme McNaught and French violinist Cyril Garac in a romantic programme that takes inspiration from Scandinavia and Russia. And nothing to do with December snow from that direction. St Bride’s Church, Glasgow, Thu 16 Dec; St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Edinburgh, Fri 17 Dec. ✽✽ Scottish Chamber Orchestra: New Year in Vienna Starting the New Year in classic Viennese style, the SCO perform a sparkling array of Strauss waltzes and polkas, as well as Sibelius’ darkly coloured take on the waltz in Valse Triste and Stravinsky’s version of the polka, circus- style. All in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 1 Jan. ✽✽ NYOS: From the New World Postcards from America is the theme of the flagship symphony orchestra from the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland stable. Here, the talented young players perform the American repertoire they’ve been working on over the holidays. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Thu 6 Jan.
children free). The Dunedin Consort’s rendering of the landmark oratorio has received rave reviews over the years. Here the ensemble gives its annual performance of the work, led by director John Butt.
Wednesday 22
Glasgow ■ Glasgow Wind Band’s Winter Warmer Hyndland Parish Church, 79–81 Hyndland Road, 7.30pm. £7 (£5). A concert featuring well-loved Christmas music, carols and the odd movie soundtrack. ■ Raymond Gubbay presents: Carols by Candlelight Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £21–£30. The full rococo experience as the bewigged and frock- coated orchestra performs elegant seasonal classics in a candlelit hall, including Bach’s Air on the G String and excerpts from Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Zadok the Priest. ■ A Traditional Christmas City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £10–£15. For the fifth year running, the Scottish Concert Singers present an evening of the top hits of Christmas, with the support of the Scottish Co-op Brass Band. Colin McKenzie conducts. 16 Dec 2010 – 6 Jan 2011 THE LIST 97