Music
Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton share ‘soil stories’
ACTRESSES Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton are among the well-kent voices that have recorded stories, poems, and songs for a new outdoor exhibition at Scotland’s four royal botanic gardens. “Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul” – which opens today in Benmore, Dawyck, Edinburgh, and Logan – shares 100 stories next to the plants that inspired them.…
Read MoreYoung pipers serenade Ukraine’s football team
THE National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland welcomed the Ukrainian national side to Glasgow this morning ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier at Hampden. The young pipers played the Ukrainian national anthem at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum to welcome the team and its supporters to Glasgow. Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, came…
Read MoreRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland fuses hip-hop with classical
MOZART, Bach, and Beethoven are getting a hip-hop makeover as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland teams up with the Ensemble Mik Nawooj. They’ve come together to create “The Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience”, which will makes its in-person debut at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Rapper Young Reshaud and turf dancer Yung Phil will perform on stage…
Read MoreJuliet Robertson is top young soloist
PIANIST Juliet Robertson has won the inaugural “Scottish Young Musicians’ solo performer of the year” title. Juliet, 14, from Stirlingshire, won the competition in Glasgow yesterday by playing Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. She received £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the “Maid of Morven” trophy, which was made by the…
Read MoreScottish musicians prepare for busy summer
A RAFT of Scottish musicians are getting ready for a busy summer of song with a flurry of new releases. Fort William singer-songwriter Keir Gibson unveils his new single, Nothing Alike, tomorrow. Gibson has been tipped as “Scotland’s next big breakthrough talent” and performed to a 5,000-strong audience at Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay street party. His…
Read MoreScottish Opera opens 50th Perth festival
SCOTTISH Opera will open the 50th Perth Festival of the Arts on Thursday. The festival’s gala opening concert will feature sopranos Eleanor Dennis and Catriona Hewitson, mezzo-sopranos Catriona Morison and Lea Shaw, and baritone Jonathan McGovern. Scottish mezzo-soprano and winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Catriona Morison is making her debut with…
Read MoreUkraine fundraising efforts around Scotland
COMMUNITIES throughout Scotland are continuing to raise funds for people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Fraserburgh, a concert held last Saturday raised more than £4,000. The concert, held at Fraserburgh South Church, was organised by Gareth John, conductor of Aberdeen City Orchestra, and featured solo soprano Amy Strachan. Pupils from nearby St Andrews…
Read MorePetroc Trelawny listeners go from Black Isle to Mull
PRESENTER Petroc Trelawny will take his BBC Radio 3 breakfast show listeners on an auditory journey next month from the Black Isle to Mull. The programme’s coast-to-cast journey begins on Monday 6 June in Cromarty before heading down the Great Glen to finish at Fionnphort on Friday 10 June. Along the way, Trelawny will play…
Read MoreEdinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival unveils line-up
ARTISTS appearing at this year’s Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival include Ambrose Akinmusire, Soweto Kinch, and Mud Morganfield. More than 130 events will take place across the city between 15 and 24 July. The programme includes 20 livestreamed or pre-recorded concerts for music fans who can’t travel to Edinburgh. Well-kent faces returning to the capital…
Read MoreAnnie Mac kicks off Glasgow’s Aye Write festival
FORMER Radio 1 presenter Annie Mac is tonight’s headline act in Glasgow as the city’s Aye Write book festival begins. The disc jockey – whose full name is Annie Macmanus – will be speaking about her novel Mother, Mother at the Mitchell Library at 18:30. Mac said: “It’s a total dream to be in Glasgow…
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