About this Event
"Matthew Shiel shone" (⭐⭐⭐⭐ThisWeek Culture)
Sink into your seat with a complimentary hot chocolate as award-winning pianist Matthew Shiel performs a selection of Scottish songs from time immemorial including classics such as: Ae Fond Kiss, Mhairi's Wedding, Maggie Lauder, Mol's Plate, Lochiel's March, Lee Rigg, Steer her up e had her gawn and Scotland the Brave.
This recital concludes with a two beautiful homages to Scotland's remarkable island landscapes and masterpieces of classical music inspired by the beauty of Scotland: Felix Mendellsohn's Hebrides Overture (arranged for piano duet) and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromness - performed by atmospheric candlelight in our special candlelit chapel setting.
In the summer of 1829, Felix Mendelssohn holidayed in Scotland. During the romantic period, artists, composers and writers often looked to the natural world for inspiration and Scotland with its countless lochs, glens and mountain wildernesses provided plentiful food for creatives. Mendelssohn visited Edinburgh, Fort William and Oban before sailing onwards to Staffa and the Isle of Mull. Mendelssohn was inspired by the unusual rock formations of Fingal's cave to compose arguably his most iconic composition, The Hebrides Overture.
These candlelit concert experiences are a wonderful way to wind down after a busy week - ticket includes a complimentary hot chocolate to enhance the relaxing experience.
Tonight, this magnificent and historic 19th century chapel is transformed by moonlight and candlelight into a place of creative inspiration as we celebrate the timeless beauty of Scotland's traditional folk music.
TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:
TRADITIONAL
Ae Fond Kiss
Mhair's Wedding
Overture to the Deserter
I can't for my life
Deel tak the War's
Mol's Plate
Lee Rigg
East nook of Fife
Malt Man
Black Jock
Locheil's March
King of Prussia's March
The Old Bull's March
Minuet de la Cour
Maggy Lauder
Steer her up e had her gawn
Mount your Baggage
Scotland the Brave
MENDELSSOHN
Hebrides Overture ('Fingal's Cave')
SIR PETER MAXWELL DAVIES
Farewell to Stromness
Tonight's Pianist: Matthew Shiel
Matthew Shiel is a concert pianist and conductor based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the recipient of a scholarship to study piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he graduated with first class honours and several academic and performance prizes including: J.S. Bach Competition Prize for Piano, Harpsichord and Organ, Mary and Raymond Thomson Organ Scholarship, and Agnes Millar Prize for Outstanding Harmony and Counterpoint.
He has performed piano solo and duet recitals at venues such as St Giles' Cathedral (Edinburgh), Sage Gateshead (Newcastle) and Unitarernes Hus (Copenhagen, DK) and has been invited to be a guest speaker to the Wagner Society of Scotland and the University of Middlesex. He has performed several concertos with the Abbotsford String Orchestra, Little Biggar Orchestra and the Àirigh Orchestra. He was also entrusted to give the world première of Dr Alfredo Caponnetto's Baroque Concerto (PhD, University of Edinburgh), which the composer kindly dedicated to him.
He is conductor of the Àirigh Orchestra and the Scottish Meditation Orchestra and teaches piano at the University of Edinburgh.
https://matthew-shiel.com/
'Painting the Piano' (2023) by Emma Yitong Shen
Her artworks are inspired by tonight's musical artist Matthew Shiel and are exhibited onstage as part of our candlelight chapel concert series.
Her artworks, prints and cards are also available for sale during the concert.
https://www.emmayitongshen.com
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St Vincent's Chapel: Scottish Episcopal Church, St Vincent Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 7.50 to GBP 29.50