Reviews from the artSMart team currently in Grahamstown
at the 2015 National Arts Festival
One of the most
talked about and remembered performances of the 2015 festival. (Review by Keith
Millar)
Visiting the
National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year is the delightful Ayrshire
Fiddle Orchestra all the way from the west of Scotland.
The orchestra was
founded in 1982 with the aim of encouraging and developing the playing of
traditional Scots fiddle music amongst the young musicians of Ayrshire. It has
grown since its humble beginnings and now has over 100 members, aged from 10 to
18. Among them are violinists, cellists, bassists, accordionists, guitarists,
percussionists and one bagpiper.
The concert took
place at the Transnet Great Hall at the festival. Greeting the audience on
arrival at the venue was a lone piper playing iconic tunes such as Scotland the Brave and The Bonny, Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond.
This certainly stirred the soul of those who claim a measure of Scots blood in
their ancestry – and in South Africa, there are many who do so – and set the
tone for the festivities to follow.
Some 80 young
musicians took part in the concert, and they were a splendid sight. Dressed in
their tartans and all fresh-faced and rosy cheeked, and an abundance of striking
redheads.
The performance of
the orchestra was astoundingly good considering the age of the artists. They
treated the audience to a large selection of Slow Airs, Jigs, Reels, Waltzes
and even a medley of Irish tunes. They have a rich and warm sound and they play
with great panache, enthusiasm and skill. The music is exciting, energetic and
soulful.
Members of the
orchestra also gave entertaining demonstrations of Highland and Irish dancing.
Conducting the
proceedings was the Musical Director of the orchestra David Moore. He is
blessed with more than a little showmanship and conducts with great energy and
animation. He also charmed the audience with his explanations and anecdotes
about the music.
At the beginning of
the programme, Moore explained that Scottish music is not only for listening to
but is also for dancing, singing and clapping along. The audience entered into
the mood of the event and it proved to be a glorious and joyous celebration of
music.
Tickets for the
Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra sold out very quickly. An extra show was added on July
4, but that too sold out. After the festival, the orchestra is touring to George,
Cape Town, Hout Bay and Johannesburg. Catch it if you can – it is an
outstanding, heart-warming show.
The Ayrshire Fiddle
Orchestra concerts will be among the most talked about and remembered performances
of the 2015 festival. – Keith Millar
For more information on the National Arts Festival click
on the banner advert at the top of this page or visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
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