Musical goals aplenty during the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention
The World Cup may have brought the greatest footballing nations together in Russia, but Aberdeeen has netted its own triumph, gathering some of the finest international fiddlers for a five-day celebration of their art.
Some of the best fiddlers and dancers from Scotland and beyond will be performing at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) gala concert at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday, July 14.
In a twist from the World Cup, rather than being rivals, different nations will unite in the spirit of collaboration that has become a byword of this successful forum.
Expect partnerships, premieres and plenty of applause at the gala concert, a flagship event of NAFCo 2018.
Scottish entertainer Robert Lovie as MC will welcome the multicultural line-up to the stage.
World-renowned musical partnership Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and Californian cellist Natalie Haas spans the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. Over 18 years they have created a buzz at festivals and concert halls across the world and continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing.
Brittany Haas is widely regarded as one of the most influential American fiddlers of her generation and is a much sought-after collaborator and session musician. She has performed on Late Night with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live as part of Steve Martin’s bluegrass band.
Spaniard Alfonso Franco is a teacher of folk fiddle at the Vigo Municipal School of Folk and Traditional Music and has been playing in the Galician folk scene since the 1980s. He was involved in the revival of Galician folk music, and has toured Spain, Europe, the USA, and Canada. He will be joined by a host of Galician musicians.
Indian violinist and composer Jyotsna Srikanth performs Carnatic music and Western classical music, with her style said to illuminate the musical tradition ‘in a kaleidoscope of colour and passion’.
Representing home grown talent will be the Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society and Aberdeenshire-based award-winning Scots fiddler Paul Anderson, NAFCo’s first Ambassador.
The evening will include the premieres of two NAFCo commissions. Young musicians from the North-east and beyond will perform a new piece by celebrated Scottish fiddler and composer, Patsy Reid, which is inspired by some of the traditions represented at NAFCo 2018.
Expressive and inventive percussive dancer, Nic Gareiss from the USA and Laura Risk, also from the USA, who is a powerful and passionate fiddler and composer, will join together with a group of NAFCo artists and researchers for #performingresearch, a music and dance piece inspired by the themes and dialogues of this year’s gathering.
Carley Williams, festival director, says the gala concert will be like yardstick measure of the talent and creativity around NAFCo 2018.
She says: “We’re thrilled to be able to offer audiences the chance to experience such a multicultural medley on one night and in one venue.
“It’s bringing together some exciting musical partnerships with dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms and shared passions.
“Even if it is for one night only, I would urge audiences to forget about the football and come and be fascinated by fiddle and movement in a gala concert that will be truly world class.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention on its return to Aberdeen in 2018. His Majesty’s Theatre is the perfect stage for the Gala Concert, which promises to be a wonderful evening of entertainment and celebration of some of the most talented local, national and international musicians performing at this year’s Convention. It will be a night not to be missed.”
John Harding, Head of Lifelong, Learning & Leisure at Aberdeenshire Council, added: “With a stellar line up, this concert is one of many of the gems for audiences to discover during NAFCo 2018. We are delighted to be supporting the festival and are looking forward to a very beneficial partnership with NAFCo in future, building a longer-term relationship on our successful past collaborations.”
The gala concert at HMT begins at 7.30pm and tickets are £18 including booking fee (£15 concession). They can be ordered by clicking here.
The full NAFCo programme including gigs, workshops, film screenings, academic talks, free concerts in Aberdeen with the greatest ever number of events extending into Aberdeenshire.
For more details visit www.northatlanticfiddle.com
