BBC Radio 4: Pretender Prince

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‘Pretender Prince‘ by Limelight, for BBC Radio 4. 
Jack Lowden presents a compelling five-part drama-documentary series about the rise and fall of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite rebellion.  Written by Colin MacDonald, with original music composed and performed by Duncan Chisholm.

Don’t miss this full-cast dramatisation with expert commentary from historians, Jacqueline Riding, Alistair Moffat and Maggie Craig, and a specially-commissioned soundtrack composed by Duncan Chisholm and performed by four of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians; Duncan Chisholm, Ingrid Henderson, Martin O’Neill and Ross Ainslie.

The first episode will be broadcast of BBC Radio 4 on Friday, 16 May at 215pm with the whole series also available on BBC Sounds on 16 May.

Live performances 2025

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An exciting start to 2025! Duncan is delighted to be performing at a range of venues, with musical friends – both at home in the Highlands and further afield, from Slovakia to the USA.  For January, please check out the wonderful Celtic Connections winter festival programme which includes a wealth of world music performances across Glasgow.  Duncan will perform with Su-a Lee during a presentation of her Dialogues album at The Mackintosh Church.

On to the annual celebration of our national bard, Duncan joins an exciting lineup where music, song, and spoken-word performances will honour Robert Burns in the majestic surroundings of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on 25 January.  Continuing the Burns theme; Duncan is honoured to have been invited to play the Gregg Fiddle at the Carnegie Hall in New York City in April.  The instrument, usually only available to view at the Robert Burns Museum in Alloway, will be played by Duncan at the ‘Hoolie in New York‘ event.  Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean and Mànran are highlights from this special presentation of music at the Carnegie Hall.

From the iconic Carnegie Hall to a suite of intimate performances across Highland Halls in May / June 2025.  Duncan will be joined by Hamish Napier at venues at home in the Highlands of Scotland.

Ticket links / details for all performances are available by clicking respective dates.  Thank you in advance for supporting live performances.

Enjoy the music….

Black Cuillin: Album of the Year 2023

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Black Cuillin awarded ‘Album of the Year 2023’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

After many weeks of anticipation and a public vote, we are thrilled to hear of Duncan’s latest album, Black Cuillin, being voted as ‘Album of the Year 2023’.  Thank you so very much for everyone who has taken the time to vote, to buy tickets for live performances and supporting us through listening / buying the music.  It really is so very much appreciated.

You can view a selection of tracks from the album and watch a wonderful evening celebrating our music and culture on the BBC iPlayer – Na Trads – 2023.  The programme features an all star line up including Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan, Amy Laurenson and Mànran – as well as insight to all nominees and awards from this special evening.  Huge thanks to Simon Thoumire and Hands up for Trad for their tireless work and for shinning the light on our music, language and culture.

Enjoy the music ….

BBC Radio 4: Crossing the Cuillin Mountains

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Robert Macfarlane will present the first in a beautiful two part series which follows a journey along the Cuillin Ridge (info via BBC Website here).  Duncan is honoured to have music from Black Cuillin incorporated in this production, along with newly written songs and melodies written with Julie Fowlis, Donald Shaw and Robert Macfarlane.

Listen to Part 1 on BBC Sounds / Radio 4 / scheduled at 4pm (GMT) 19 September 2023
Part 2 to be broadcast 4pm (GMT) 26 September 2023.

Enjoy the music….

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2023

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Don’t miss Duncan Chisholm headlining the Grassroots Stage at Belladrum Festival on Saturday 29 July 2023!

USA Tour – with Julie Fowlis

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Duncan performs with Julie Fowlis during her fall tour in the USA, October 2022.  Dates and details are available on ‘live’ page.  A much anticipated tour for the musicians and audience.  Enjoy the music….

#TuneWithAView

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Keep an eye on Duncan’s socials for regular posting of music and landscape over the coming weeks.  Duncan will post on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

You can watch and listen by following Duncan on social channels – using #TuneWithAView;
Twitter = @DuncanWChisholm
Instagram = @duncanchisholm
Facebook = @DuncanChisholmFiddle

Enjoy the music….

Duncan Chisholm Live at the Kelvingrove, BBC Alba / Celtic Connections 2021

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Duncan Chisholm and the Scottish Ensemble perform on BBC Alba tonight at 9pm as part of the opening night celebrations for Celtic Connections 2021.

Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Innes Watson, Hamish Napier and Donald Hay – with the superb strings of the Scottish Ensemble perform at the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

After a year of distance and disappointments, we send huge congratulations and thanks to the Celtic Connections team for bringing us this ambitious programme of ticketed digital performances. See the full programme and ticket links here.

Enjoy the music ….

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2020 has been the most challenging of years for everyone.   We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many of you who have continued to support artists throughout the year by engaging with artists online and / or by purchasing their music.   
 
We are delighted that #CovidCeilidh has been nominated for ‘Online Performance of 2020‘ at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2020. 

#CovidCeilidh started with a call from Duncan on social media to other musicians around the world to post an acoustic track whenever they could, in order to bring people together through music, to comfort and reassure people who might be feeling isolated or vulnerable. The response was incredible with thousands of tracks being posted from all around the world and millions of views. What was especially gratifying to Duncan were the messages of thanks from people who genuinely felt relief and were uplifted by listening to the music as they were navigating their own journey through the pandemic.

The awards ceremony, Na Trads 2020, will be broadcast on BBC Alba on Saturday, 12 December 2020 where the award winners will be announced along with specially recorded music performances.  

Good luck to all nominees and a huge thank you to those who voted.

Folk on Foot – Festival 3: Together Again

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Monday 31st August 2020 at 2pm will see the start of the ‘Folk on Foot – Festival 3:  Together Again’.

Host, Matthew Bannister – and the wonderful Team at Folk on Foot have undertaken a massive fundraising challenge with a view to supporting ‘Help Musicians UK’ and the musicians who contribute to these festivals – collectively, they have lost all or part of their livelihoods during the coronavirus lockdown.  Folk on Foot will present the third festival in their series on bank holiday Monday, the 31 August 2020.  Titled ‘Together Again’, as a nod to the very welcomed light relaxation to guidelines, giving the opportunity to meet with small numbers of friends and musicians to play music and connect.

Duncan Chisholm, Julie Fowlis and Èamon Doorley will perform at a beautiful, discreet Highland location for ‘Together Again’.  Folk on Foot – Festival 3 will provide a very rare opportunity to see and hear new performances and collaborations from a programme of incredible musicians.  For details on how to view / donate – please visit the ‘Folk on Foot’ website by clicking here.

Enjoy the music….