Caithness Composer's First Performance by International Duo

9th May 2013

North Highland Connections announces a concert to be given in the West Church, Thurso, on Saturday, 1st June, by one of the world's leading clarinet virtuosi, Michael Collins. He will be accompanied by the pianist, Michael McHale. The concert will feature music by Weber; Brahms; Debussy: and Poulenc. For the local audience there will be special interest in an opportunity to hear the premiere of 'Four Nocturnes' by the composer, pianist and teacher, Robert Fields, who lives at Brough, near Dunnet. Robert is a familiar figure in Caithness musical circles, and his many friends and admirers will eagerly look forward to hearing his work performed by these international artistes.

Michael Collins is among the most prominent British clarinettists of his generation. He has appeared in concert as principal clarinettist with the Philharmonia Orchestra and London Sinfonietta, as a member of the Nash Ensemble, and as a freelance soloist and chamber player. He has made more than 30 recordings for the Hyperion label since 1984 mostly in chamber music fare. He has also recorded for DG, Chandos, and EMI. By age 16 he attained virtuoso status, winning the woodwind prize at the 1978 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

Belfast-born pianist Michael McHale has established himself as one of the leading Irish pianists of his generation. Since completing his studies at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music he has developed a busy international career as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. Michael has performed at many important musical centres including Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Lincoln Center, New York, Konzerthaus, Berlin, Pesti Vigadó, Budapest, and the Ushuaia and Tanglewood Festivals and for TV and radio broadcasts throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America. His début solo album The Irish Piano was released in 2012 on the RTÉ lyric fm label, and was selected as ‘CD of the Week’ by Norman Lebrecht who described it as “scintillating…fascinating from start to stop”.

Tickets for the concert are £15; £12 concessions. To reserve tickets call North Highland Connections on 0752 107 7053, or e-mail: MF[AT]northhighlandconnections.org

On 15th June NHC presents another of its Young Artistes concerts with a performance by the Sutherland Duo in Dunrobin Castle.

On 27th June NHC will present a lecture on Caithness's Nordic history at Mackays Hotel in Wick. The lecture will be given by Dr Donna Heddle, Director of the Nordic Studies Centre of the University of the Highlands & Islands. More information can be found on the NHC website: www.northhighlandconnections.org