MUSIC | Classical
ORCHESTRAL QATAR UK 2013: YEAR OF CULTURE MUSICAL CELEBRATION Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 14 Jun
Its population is under 2m people but it has one of the fastest growing economies in the world with massive oil reserves that will last way long after hosting the World Cup in 2022. But before football puts Qatar firmly in the media spotlight, culture has pride of place in celebration of this Persian Gulf peninsular country and, in particular, the cultural links between Qatar and the UK. As the official story tells it, ‘Qatar UK 2013 is a year of events to celebrate and develop the partnership between Qatar and the United Kingdom. The year aims to increase engagement between the people of both countries in the spirit of innovation, openness and learning.’
As far as Scotland is concerned, this means a concert at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall with the RSNO taking the lead in a ‘musical celebration of cultural diversity’. With premieres of works by Wael Binali (a Qatari composer whose boarding school experience at Gordonstoun left a lasting impression of Scotland) and Edinburgh-based David Heath, it looks like an unusual and intriguing evening is in store. Heath’s piano concerto, ‘El Hedeiya (The Gift)’, was commissioned by the English Chamber Orchestra and pianist Amira Fouad, soloist and artistic
director of the Edinburgh event. ‘I’ve been on an eight-year long mission to promote friendship and understanding between religions by honouring faiths other than my own in my music,’ says Fouad. ‘My piano concerto honours both Arabic and Western traditions whilst my new choral and orchestral work ‘Hope Springs Eternal’, generously commissioned by Qatar UK 2013, honours spirituality and hope.’ More familiar repertoire is Elgar’s ‘Cello Concerto’, with British cellist Guy Johnston, and Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’, for which the RSNO is joined
by the choir of St Mary’s Cathedral. (Carol Main)
■ Michael Harris St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile, 226 0673. 8pm. £8. Organ recital. Isle of Mull FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 1 Glengorm Castle, Tobermory, mendelssohnonmull.com 7.30pm. See Tue 2. FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 2 Salen Church, Torosay, Craignure, mendelssohonmull.com 7.30pm. See Tue 2. FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 3 Mull Theatre, Druimfin, Tobermory, 01688 302828. 8.15pm. See Tue 2.
Thursday 4
Glasgow ■ St Bride’s International Organ Series St Bride’s Episcopal Church, 69 Hyndland Road, stbride.org.uk 8–9.30pm. £7.50 including wine. Mark Browne with Antonio Jimenez Marin (trombone)
Iona ■ Mendelssohn on Mull Iona Abbey Concert Iona Abbey, 01681 700512. 11.30am. Concert is free but regular Abbey admission prices apply. Special concert featuring Barber’s Adagio. *Mendelssohn on Mull.* Isle of Mull FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 1 Creich Church, Bunessan,
98 THE LIST 13 Jun–11 Jul 2013
mendelssohnonmull.com 7pm. See Tue 2. FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 3 Bunessan Baptist Church, Bunessan, mendelssohnonmull.com 7pm. See Tue 2. FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Group 2 Duart Castle, Lochdon, 01680 812309. 8pm. See Tue 2.
Friday 5
Edinburgh ■ Hans Uwe Hielscher Reid Memorial Church, 182 West Saville Terrace, 662 1203. 7.30pm. £10. Recital by organist of the Marktkirche in Wiesbaden, Germany. Anstruther ■ SCO Winds: Bohemian Winds Cellardyke Church, Toll Road, Cellardyke, eastneukfestival.com 11.30am. £12–£15. Wind pieces by Reicha, Ligeti and Dvorák. Part of East Neuk Festival.
Isle of Mull FREE Music Makers Aros Hall, Main Street, Tobermory, 01688 302415. 3pm. Recitals by younger musicians. Mendelssohn on Mull. FREE The Classical Ceilidh Salen Church, Torosay, Craignure, mendelssohnonmull.com 7.30pm. Mendelssohn’s Octet. Mendelssohn on Mull.
Kingsbarns ■ The Tallis Scholars at 40 Cambo
Barn, North Lodge Cottage, Cambo Estate, eastneukfestival.com 8pm. £15. Renaissance choir sings Taverner and Tallis. Part of East Neuk Festival. £5). Sacred works by Purcell, John Blow, Matthew Locke and Pelham Humfrey. Part of Sypert Summer Concert Series 2013.
Saturday 6
Anstruther ■ The Tallis Scholars at 40 Kilrenny Church, Kilrenny, eastneukfestival.com 11.30am. £15. Taverner’s ’Western Wynde’ Mass. Part of East Neuk Festival.
Crail ■ Elias Quartet Crail Parish Church, Marketgate North, 01333 312631. 8pm. £17–£25. Acclaimed young quartet plays Webern, Schumann and Beethoven’s mighty Op 130. Part of East Neuk Festival. Oban FREE Mendelssohn on Mull Closing Concert St John’s Cathedral, George Street, mendelssohnonmull.com 7.30pm. Festival musicians play together. Part of Mendelssohn on Mull.
Sunday 7 Edinburgh FREE St Giles’ at Six St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile, 226 0673. 6pm. Organ recital by Jonathan Schakel (USA). ■ The Marian Consort St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street, 668 2019. 7.30pm. £14 (seniors £10; students and unwaged
Anstruther ■ Elias Quartet St Monans Parish Church, Burnside, St Monans, eliasstringquartet.com 2pm. £15–£20. Quartets by Janácek and Schumann. Part of East Neuk Festival. Wednesday 10
Edinburgh ■ Stefan Kagl St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile, 226 0673. 8pm. £8. Recital by organist of Herford Münsterkirche in northern Germany.
Thursday 11
Glasgow ■ NYOS Senior Orchestra City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 7pm. £12. James Lowe conducts pieces by Tormis, Pärt, Lutoslawski and Dvorák. ■ St Bride’s International Organ Series St Bride’s Episcopal Church, 69 Hyndland Road, stbride.org.uk 8pm. £7.50 including wine. Recital by Simon Harden of Frankfurt, Germany. Oban ■ Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Wind and Brass Tour St John’s Cathedral, George Street, sco.org. uk 8pm. £12 (seniors £10). Pieces by Beethoven, d’Indy, Haydn and Dvorák.