North Highland Connections News - September 2008

31st August 2008

On Saturday, September 6th, at 8:00pm, we will be presenting what promises to be a truly lovely concert in Dornoch Cathedral. The Scottish Ensemble's annual Highlands & Islands Tour is always popular with both players and audiences, and this year's programme of music provides a real musical treat. Two gems from the classical repertoire, Bach's Double Violin Concerto and Mendelssohn's String Symphony No 9 in C minor partner David Horne's Double Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's Two Pieces for String Octet.

Taking its inspiration from Bach's Double Violin Concerto, David Horne's explosive Double Violin Concerto, originally commissioned by the Scottish Ensemble, will be performed by Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton and long-time Ensemble member, Cheryl Crockett.

The Scottish Ensemble will perform this programme again on Sunday at Strathpeffer. The big difference is that in Dornoch you can attend FREE! That is not because NHC is rolling in money: it is simply because the Cathedral is not licensed to charge for admission! We will earnestly solicit your donations to help us meet the costs.

On Wednesday, 10th September, again in Dornoch Cathedral, but at 7:30pm, we are presenting one of our Young Artistes programmes. This will feature the brilliant young Caithness violinist, Amy Fields. Amy will be accompanied by her father, Robert Fields. Their splendidly varied programme includes :
Sonate in G major, K379 - Mozart
Suite populaire Espagnole (6 Spanish folksongs) - Manuel de Falla
Caprice in A major (arr. Kreisler) - Wieniawski
Theme and variations - Olivier Messaien
Havanaise - Saint-Saens
Prelude from partita no.3 in E Major - J.S Bach
Songs my mother taught me (arr. Kreisler) - Dvorak
Scherzo - Scher

For those for whom Dornoch is a little distant, the programme will be repeated on Sunday, 14th September, at 6:00pm, in St Anne's Catholic Church, Sweyn Road, Thurso. Both concerts are admission Free. Donations are warmly invited.

Another of our Young Artistes series will take place in the Drawing Room of Dunrobin Castle (by kind permission of Lord Strathnaver), on Sunday, 28th September, at 7:30pm. This will be given by another North Highlands product, the magnificent young cellist, Rowena Calvert, accompanied by Alison Rhind (piano). The programme will include the sublime Sonata for Cello by C�sar Franck, and the Sonata in A by Beethoven. Admission is �7; concessions �5 This includes a glass of wine. Since space is limited we advise reserving your place by sending an e-mail to info[AT]northhighlandconnections.org

September will conclude with a drama performance on Tuesday, 30th September, in Wick High School, at 7:30pm. This will be the only North Highland performance of Fleeto, written and directed by Paddy Cunneen. First performed at Oran Mor in Glasgow, the play is being toured in Scotland before a run in London. The subject of knife crime and violence currently has a high profile across the UK - receiving much media focus. V.AMP's production FLEETO examines this issue through the device of a simple story,
and it's devastating consequences, told using the medium of heightened language and stylised theatrical action. The play is not suitable for under-16s. Tickets are �7; concessions �5. Reservation is recommended via info[AT]northhighlandconnections.org

For those who 'enjoy something different' I am glad to mention that In November, as part of our partnership with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, we expect to present a Scottish Traditional Music residency which will include public performances in three different venues in our NHC region. Leading performers in this field, Josh Dickinson and Phil Cunningham are expected to lead these events.