The Scottish Ensemble has released details of its five concert annual Highlands & Islands tour. Following appearances at the BBC Proms, and Aldeburgh, Lichfield, and Brinkburn Festivals, the internationally acclaimed group performs in Arran, Ballachulish, Dunkeld, Clashmore and Haddo. The tour, the first under the Artistic Directorship of Jonathan Morton, runs from Sunday 4 September to Friday 9 September 2005.

The Scottish Ensemble performances offer a late Summer treat, with two concerts on the tour. Sounds of Summer features a diverse selection of uplifting and vibrant music from Mozart, Bartók, Bridge, Holst and Britten. Eight Seasons, with Jonathan Morton and Tamás András as soloists, gives audiences the opportunity to experience the Scottish Ensemble’s highly acclaimed performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Piazzolla’s sultry tango-inspired masterpiece, Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.

Announcing the tour details, Jonathan Morton, Artistic Director, said:

“Along with the rest of the players of the Scottish Ensemble I am looking forward to our annual Highlands & Islands tour, my first as Artistic Director, immensely. We’ve created a special Sounds of Summer programme with a range of European music, and we’re giving audiences the opportunity to experience Eight Seasons, which combines Vivaldi with Piazzolla, to magnificent effect.”

Sounds of Summer

Mozart – Divertimento K137Bb
Bartók – Rumanian Dances
Frank Bridge – Three Idylls
Holst – St Paul’s Suite
Britten – Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge

4 Sept at Lochranza Village Hall, Arran at 3.30pm. Tel 01770 303 774
6 Sept at Ballachulish Village Hall at 8pm. Tel 01855 811 866
9 Sept at Birnam Institute, Dunkeld at 8pm. Tel 01350 727 674

Eight Seasons

Vivaldi – Four Seasons
Piazzolla – Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

7 Sept at Carnegie Hall, Clashmore at 8pm. Tel 01862 811 068
8 Sept at Haddo House Hall at 7.30pm. Tel 01224 641 122