Live Music Now Scotland: Emerging Artists Concerts
Live Music Now Scotland: Emerging Artists Concerts
Live Music Now Scotland after a summer successfully celebrating their 40th anniversary presents three September morning concerts in the Usher Hall. Carol Main has led the organisation in Scotland since 1984, and in her first year, LMNS put on 60 concerts, with a handful of classical ensembles. This year at least 750 performances are delivered by the current pool of 120 musicians. Eight of these take part in this Emerging Artists’ season.
On September 9th there’s a chance to hear virtuosic Edinburgh concert pianist Matthew Shiel. A prize-winning student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Matthew has played solo piano recitals, duets and concertos in the UK and Europe, has acted as choirmaster and organist for Fairmilehead Church, as an accompanist for the National Youth Choir of Scotland, teaches piano at the University of Edinburgh and this summer founded the Àirigh Orchestra.
I very much enjoyed hearing the Silver Keys Clarinet Quartet at Paxton House in June, where their proficiency with their instruments combined with a talent to entertain in a diverse and exciting programme, ranging from Bach to Gershwin and Piazzola, and included some audience participation. Don’t miss their concert at 11am on September 16th.
New to LMNS in 2024 are the Atelier Ensemble, a Glasgow based piano trio who’ve played together for two years. Scottish violinist Scott Brant, Slovak-American cellist Rebekah Lesan and South-Korean pianist Sinae Sung enjoy exploring classical and romantic music and have also premiered contemporary work. I’m looking forward to hearing them on 23rd September.
The Usher Hall Emerging Artists series is supported by Live Music Now Scotland and the Kimie Trust, a charity founded with a bequest from Kimie Okada 1929-2008, who loved music and was keen to support it in Scotland, her adopted homeland. The concerts at 11am on 9th, 16th and 23rd September cost £3, with free tickets for children and students.
Also on Mondays at 1.10 are John Kitchen’s popular concerts on the Usher Hall Organ. For details see Get Organised with John Kitchen | Usher Hall
