Jazz and Blues Piano by Candlelight: 'Rhapsody in Blue'

"Matthew Shiel shone" (⭐⭐⭐⭐ThisWeek Culture)

Sink into your seat with a complimentary hot chocolate as award-winning pianist Matthew Shiel performs several jazz classics by Scott Joplin, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson and George Gershwin.

This recital concludes with arguably the most popular and challenging piano piece ever composed in jazz music history: Gershwin's thrillingly seductive Rhapsody in Blue - performed by atmospheric candlelight in our special candlelit chapel setting.

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 musical inspiration as we celebrate the toe-tapping swing rhythms of jazz!

TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Scott Joplin: The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag

Dave Brubeck: Take Five and Unsquared Dance

Oscar Peterson: Jazz Exercise No. 2

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

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/

'Let's Play' (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