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In The Wake Of Neil Gunn : Tea and Tunes
14 December, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
£10
In 1937 Neil Gunn sold his house, quit his job and went off in an old converted lifeboat for a summer to inspire his writing; voyaging around the Western Isles. He wrote about the various communities on the way, and went on to become one of Scotland’s most prolific and creative fiction writers.
In May 2014 composer Mike Vass retraced Gunn’s steps, re-visiting the communities Neil Gunn wrote about, performing celebratory concerts there and composing a new suite of music which he’s now touring.
Winner of the prestigious ‘Composer of the Year’ title at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2012, Mike Vass has been described as ‘one of the most original composers working in the field of acoustic music’ (Richard Lindsay, Ullapool Guitar Festival). He is in great demand as a performer, composer, producer and teacher; regularly touring with Scots singer Fiona Hunter whose critically acclaimed debut solo album he produced and arranged.
He has performed extensively in the past few years with a number of acts including leading Scots Song band Malinky, the Paul McKenna Band, Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, in a duo with twin sister Ali, and in Fiddle Rendezvous, featuring Bruce Molsky, Mary Ann Kennedy and Gerry O’Connor.
Mike’s New Voices commission ‘String Theory’ debuted in 2010 at Celtic Connections, and was described as ‘the most direct and honest since the idea was first conceived … precision, subtlety and attention to detail’. One of the highlights, the avant-garde piece ‘Man’s Search’ inspired by Viktor Frankl’s best-selling book, was described as ‘utterly compelling’ and was subsequently featured by the Victor Frankl Institute in Austria to commemorate Frankl’s birthday.
Mike went on to release ‘DecemberWell’, a highly original, kaleidoscopic work inspired by the Scottish Winter month of December which he played at the Hall in Dec 2012 – nobody who was at that concert will need any urging to come and hear his new work!
Tea and home baking included in ticket price. Under 16s £2, payable on the door. Unreserved seating.