Soulful Advent music from the Scottish Ensemble with Sean Shibe

By David Smythe, 10 December 2018

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“The Scottish Ensemble’s soulful programming provided welcome space to free the imagination”

Reviewed at St John's Kirk, Perth on 8 December 2018

Vivaldi, Concerto for lute and 2 violins in D major, RV 93

Bach, Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue), BWV1080

Vasks, String Quartet no. 3

Holst, St Paul's Suite, Op.29 no.2

Gabrieli, Canzon duodecimi toni, à 10 no.2

Torelli, Concerto Grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto", Op.8 no.6

Corelli, Concerto grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto", Op.6 no.8

Kapsberger, Toccata Arpeggiata

Arnold, Serenade for Guitar and Strings, Op.13

Beamish, Viola Concerto, Under the Wing of the Rock

Scottish Ensemble

Sean Shibe, Guitar

Pushing boundaries: Scottish Ensemble’s Shifting Patterns in Perth

David Smythe, 29th October

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

Stephen Pritchard, 29th September

A carefully chosen programme of exciting, short pieces which all share parallel energetic explorations of musical patterns and pulses.

*****

Karen Cargill and the Scottish Ensemble burst into Songs for Life

David Smythe, 13th November

Life, death, childhood, community and love are celebrated in Songs for Life by Karen Cargill with the Scottish Ensemble in an exquisitely filmed performance.

*****

Scottish Ensemble’s adventures in music for a winter’s night

David Smythe, 7th December

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

****1

Utterly thrilling: Prelude – Skydiving from a Dream

David Smythe, 10th November

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.

*****

From Naxos to Carthage: Ancient Classical Tales from Karen Cargill and the Scottish Ensemble

David Smythe, 20th February

Mezzo soprano Karen Cargill and the Scottish Ensemble guest-led by Matthew Truscott in a programme of music from Purcell to Stravinsky all inspired by tales from Ancient Greece.

****1

More reviews...

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.

Musica Adventus: soulful Advent from the Scottish Ensemble with Sean Shibe