On The Shore of the Mind – a fantastic concert

Through great good fortune, Arran is included in a prestigious tour by the renowned group, Mr MacFall’s Chamber. They will be playing in Brodick Hall on Thursday, 19th June, at 7.30, and their wide-ranging programme is on the theme of Islands, both Scottish and Caribbean – hence the title. The five players will be joined by Susan Hamilton, the glorious soprano whose recordings with the Dunedin Consort of such classics as Messiah and the Bach B Minor Mass have made her internationally famous. It also features the outstanding Cuban violinist José White.

The six musicians are on a tour that includes Lewis, Arran and Mull then goes to London, Edinburgh and the Glasgow Concert Hall. They are fielding two different programmes, and the one to be performed on Arran is called Island of the Mind. The theme highlights words and music from such varied sources as Burns, Purcell, Ian Hamilton Finlay, the famous Belize poet Derek Walcott and the composer Gabriel Jackson, born in Bermuda. The variety of material and styles will cater for every possible taste.

All the players are consummate professionals, but everyone who has heard them agrees that they are also seductively easy to listen to and great fun. They move easily from 18th century London to traditional Scotland and to the present-day Caribbean, with a touch of calypso on one hand, and on the other, the soaring voice of Susan Hamilton to stir every heart. As The Times reviewer remarked, ‘Why can’t all concerts be like this – engaging, witty, relaxed, sophisticated, exquisitely played and just plain fun?’

Tickets for the Arran concert at £10 are available from Inspirations in Brodick or online from Arran Events. Also at the door.

See a sample of what Mr McFall’s Chamber can do on their website.