Scottish Ensemble bring moments of stillness and contemplation amidst the slight chaos of the festive season with music to warm your soul as they perform their annual Concerts by Candlelight across Scotland …
From the 7th to the 13th December the pioneering ensemble will visit some of the country’s awe-inspiring churches and cathedrals. Concerts by Candlelight will take place in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
A staple of the Scottish festive calendar these concerts feature vibrant compositions illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight.
Audiences can expect a musical journey that features voices from different centuries and musical styles and focuses on beauty, reflection and connection. Alongside compositions with seasonal resonances by JS Bach, Arvo Pärt and John Tavener, there will also be pieces that will take listeners to unexpected places including Shaker Loops by John Adams, Heads or Tails by Dani Howard and music by Ed Finnis.
A dramatic and atmospheric opening to the concerts is provided by Glasgow-based composer David Fennessey’s Rain I. Commissioned by Scottish Ensemble and given its world premiere during this year’s Concerts by Candlelight, David composed the piece with the resonant and dramatic spaces of the venues in mind.
Rain I is the first instalment of a two-part commission featuring in Scottish Ensembles 2023-24 season, the second of which will feature in Concerts for a Summer’s Night.
Jonathan Morton, Artistic Director of Scottish Ensemble, said: “Our Concerts by Candlelight are a particular highlight of the year at Scottish Ensemble, both for our audiences and our musicians.
“We love going back to these beautifully atmospheric buildings, exploring a broad range of music that we hope will comfort the soul and bolster the spirit.”
Tickets range from £9 – £21.50 and are free for under 16s. Tickets are available from:
https://scottishensemble.co.uk/programme/2023-24/concerts-by-candlelight-4/