Sandwood Review / Duncan Chisholm Feature

Twenty years ago this summer, the first issue of Penguin Eggs surfaced on the Internet.  This publication continues to be bursting with features, interviews, news and reviews from the traditional scene and the current summer special 20th Anniversary Issue (No.78) is no exception.  Read Roddy Campbell’s full review of Sandwood, accessible via the publication here, as he considers Duncan “the indisputable eminent fiddle composer of his generation“.

Duncan is also the subject of an in-depth feature interview in the August 2018 issue of The Scots Magazine.   ‘Sandwood – A Place Beyond Words’ by Cameron McNeish considers how Duncan captures an indefinable location through his music and how Duncan has “produced something quite exceptional” in his Sandwood album.  The full feature is accessible in The Scots Magazine via this link.

Duncan Chisholm Live at Egerton

Duncan has been invited to perform at the Millenium Hall, Egerton toward the end of October 2018.  Known for its triennial summer music festival, Egerton continues to invite musicians to perform between festivals whilst promoting the arts in the Kent area.

Duncan will perform as part of a quartet including Conal McDonagh, Ali Hutton and Megan Henderson on Sunday 21 October 2018.  Please visit our Live page for box office details.

Enjoy the music….

Duncan: Live on BBC Radio 3 Breakfast

In midsummer week, BBC Radio 3 enters one of the most potent sources of the human imagination.  Into the Forest (BBC R3 daily between 630-9am, 18 – 22 June) explores the enchantment, escape and magical danger of the forest in summer, with slow radio moments featuring the sounds of the forest, allowing time out from today’s often frenetic world.

Duncan was invited to join presenter Petroc Trelawny live from the breathtaking landscape of Glen Affric.  Having completed his lauded Strathglass Trilogy inspired by the majestic Glens of Strathfarrar, Canaich and Affric, Duncan was delighted to perform his music live on this programme which explores the cultural heritage of the last remnants of the original Caledonian Forest.

Listen again on the BBC iPlayer via this link

Live Event News….

RUNRIG: THE LAST DANCE
Duncan is thrilled to be performing with Julie Fowlis at Runrig’s The Last Dance concerts in Stirling on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th August.  Duncan has been a huge fan of Runrig over their career and feels privileged to be a part of this weekend, celebrating Runrig, their music, and their legacy.

MARTYN BENNETT’S BOTHY CULTURE
Greg Lawson’s monumental orchestration of Bothy Culture, presented by The GRIT Orchestra was a roaring success at the Celtic Connections Festival earlier this year.

Duncan performed many times with Martyn Bennett while touring with Wolfstone throughout Europe and the USA. Duncan was honoured to be invited to join The GRIT Orchestra to carry on the spirit of his music for this project.  Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture will perform as part of the Light on the Shore Series at the Edinburgh International Festival on Tuesday 21st August 2018.  This unique performance of an epic orchestration of Martyn’s second album will be presented at the Edinburgh Playhouse.  Tickets are on sale now and full box office details are available via our Live page.

Sandwood

Sandwood is now on general release, available to buy / stream / download, worldwide.

Please do visit our ‘Shop‘ where you can purchase the album in CD or download format.

Enjoy the music….

Live dates announced and Sandwood reviews….

We are delighted to announce additional tour dates as Duncan presents music from the new album in venues and festivals throughout the U.K. and beyond.  Duncan and the band look forward to performing in the north of England during June 2018 in Reeth, Ulverston and Manchester.  Please see our Live page for ticket information.

Thank you to fRoots, Songlines and The Living Tradition for the glowing reviews of Sandwood; a short synopsis is available on our ‘Reviews’ page but please do visit and enjoy these publications which provide a wealth of news and features on world music.

What the press said….
Songlines World Music Magazine:  4**** stars
The Living Tradition:  “Highland music has rarely been in better hands
fRoots:  “This is spiritual music which empathises deeply with humanity’s continuing search for transcendental beauty and enduring truth.”

New Music Commission: An Treas Suaile (The Third Wave)

14-18 NOW have unveiled their 2018 season of extraordinary arts events focusing on WW1 Centenary Art Commissions.  This programme of events features brand new artworks by some of the world’s leading contemporary artists which will be presented during the lead up to Armistice Day 2018.

As part of this significant programme of events 14-18 NOW have co-commissioned, with An Lanntair Arts Centre, Duncan Chisholm and Julie Fowlis to deliver a production marking the centenary of the sinking of HMY Iolaire.

This new work will consider this maritime disaster, the resulting tragedy of the significant loss of life to the Hebridean Islands of Lewis and Harris, as well as reflecting on the actions of John Finlay MacLeod whose selfless acts helped save dozens of lives.

This commission will premiere at An Lanntair, Stornoway on the 9/10 November 2018.  Further details of the production will be announced soon.

Duncan Chisholm to perform with The GRIT Orchestra at The Hydro, Glasgow – with a special guest appearance by Danny MacAskill.

The world premiere of Bothy Culture & Beyond; a music-vision-dance-bike spectacular featuring The GRIT Orchestra and Danny MacAskill will be performed at The Hydro, Glasgow on Saturday, January 27th as part of the Celtic Connections Festival 2018.

The GRIT Orchestra presented their unforgettable debut at the opening concert of Celtic Connections 2015.  Comprising around 80 leading folk, jazz and classical musicians, the GRIT Orchestra returns to Celtic Connections 2018 to present a grand-scale live version of Bothy Culture, the late Martyn Bennett’s second album.

It was with great pleasure that Duncan accepted the invitation to be part of this spectacular evening to pay tribute to Martyn’s incredible music and imagination.

Further details on this event are available from the Celtic Connections Festival website.

Celtic Connections 2018

To all those who have purchased tickets to join us at the Royal Concert Hall’s New Auditorium on February 4th for the sold-out premiere performance of music from Duncan’s brand new album, Sandwood, thank you for your support.

Please do visit the bursting special anniversary programme for Celtic Connections 2018 to see the wealth of live world music and song that will descend on Glasgow between the 18 January and 4 February.

Duncan will make various other appearances during the festival including performances with Julie Fowlis at City Halls on January 20th and with Blazin’ Fiddles at their own anniversary celebration at the Royal Concert Hall on February 1st.

More festival news to follow soon!!

Enjoy the music….

Duncan Chisholm on BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk

Hear about the inspiration for Sandwood and a selection of music from Duncan’s new album on BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk.  Duncan joined Bruce MacGregor, Anna Massie and Hamish Napier to play an exclusive set of festive tunes.

Duncan was invited to join the programme on Wednesday 20th December.  This programme is currently available to listen again on the BBC iPlayer.