In 1707 the Act of Union was passed. This meant that Scotland was formally united with England to form Great Britain. In so doing, the Scottish Parliament voted itself out of existence. In 1999 under the UK Labour government Scotland got it’s parliament back. This four act musical depiction of emotions, events, feelings and excitement is one man’s impressions of the events leading up to and including this very special occasion. The music is contemporary yet there is no mistaking that it is firmly rooted in Scottish tradition. This bold, imaginative, innovative, live musical experience, will in all probability become a collector’s piece. A performance of this piece was chosen by the BBC to open their Music Live festival and this CD was recorded at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on that occasion in May 1999. This is a first-rate listen as well as charting a momentous new era.
Orchestra Personnel:
Simon Thoumire - concertina Eilidh Shaw - fiddle Aidan O'Rourke - fiddle Anna-Wendy Stevenson - fiddle Mike Katz - highland pipes, whistles David Milligan - Piano Colin Steel - trumpet Tom MacNiven - trumpet Phil Bancroft - saxaphone Elspeth Cowie - vocals Alyth MacCormack - vocals Kevin Mackenzie - guitar Neil Harland - bass Tom Bancroft - drums & bodhran Conductor - Russell Cowieson
Speakers: Rob Stokes, Catriona MacDonald, Aonghas MacNeacail.
Media Reviews
energised throughout...
Thoumire's jostling blend of traditional music, jazz and pop influences creates a dynamic collage of styles and moods, discordant, harmonious, jubilant and reflective by turns, energised throughout by its author's bold vision and fertile musical imagination. Sue Wilson
A work of immense importance and musical validity.
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