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Scandinavian passion from the Scottish Ensemble in Perth

By David Smythe, 11 December 2013
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Reviewed at St John's Kirk, Perth on 9 December 2013
Programme
Sibelius, Andante festivo
Grieg, Holberg Suite, Op.40
Rautavaara, The Fiddlers
Christensen, Pre-Air
Grieg, String Quartet in G minor, Op.27 (new arranged Morton)
Performers
Scottish Ensemble
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Pushing boundaries: Scottish Ensemble’s Shifting Patterns in Perth
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Jonathan Morton leads the Scottish Ensemble in Górecki’s extraordinary Quasi una fantasia, before diving headlong into seven Anna Meredith tracks, featuring visuals by Ewan Jones Morris.

****1
Scottish Ensemble at the QEH: hugely energetic, top-quality playing
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A carefully chosen programme of exciting, short pieces which all share parallel energetic explorations of musical patterns and pulses.
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Life, death, childhood, community and love are celebrated in Songs for Life by Karen Cargill with the Scottish Ensemble in an exquisitely filmed performance.

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A deeply soulful musical adventure for a winter’s night from the Scottish Ensemble to celebrate their 50th anniversary

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Soulful Advent music from the Scottish Ensemble with Sean Shibe
David Smythe, 8th December
The Scottish Ensemble with guitarist Sean Shibe perform a thoughtful programme of ancient and modern Christmas-themed music in a candlelit St John’s Kirk.
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Utterly thrilling: Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream
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Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream from Scottish Ensemble and Andersson Dance: mesmeric choreographed Bach and Lutosławski with a blistering performance of Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue played from memory and on the move. Thrilling, daring and exciting.
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
Andante festivoEdvard GriegEinojuhani RautavaaraHolberg Suite, Op.40Jean SibeliusScottish EnsembleString Quartet in G minor, Op.27The Fiddlers
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David Smythe
David Smythe
David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.