Directory
Bardic Trio
**** Bardic Trio combine classical sophistication with a penchant for Celtic tradition. McGuire’s settings of Burns and Welsh songs – from the sultry Winter is Past and deliciously ephemeral Ae Fond Kiss, simple treatment of Suo Gan to the exotically-charged Slave’s Lament are excitingly original. Nicolson’s Balfour Songbook,a sparkling illumination of ancient Orcadian melodies. Restful listening
Among the evening’s highlights, were the Trio’s performances of Eddie McGuire’s arrangements of Burns. ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ was performed with real sensitivity and feeling and Jamie’s high-energy rendition of ‘Rattlin’ Roarin’ Willie’ left many in amazement at how he was able to catch his breath in time for each verse.The ensemble’s performance was a prime example of the power and beauty of the song.
Trio - Vocal & Instrumental
Instrumentation
- Jamie MacDougall - Tenor
- Matthew McAllister - Guitar
- Sharron Griffiths - Harp
Repertoire
Scottish set:
Songs of Robert Burns- arranged by Eddie McGuire
Balfour Songbook- Alasdair Nicolson
Farewell to Stromness - Peter Maxwell Davies [guitar solo]
Welsh set:
Welsh folk songs - arranged by Eddie McGuire
Clychau Aberdyfi - arranged by McAllister & Griffiths [guitar & harp]
Bugeilio'r gwenith gwyn by John Thomas [harp solo]
Irish set:
Songs of Thomas Moore [tenor and harp]
My gentle harp [guitar solo]
Mexican set:
Songs by Pichardo, Ponce, Barrios, De Falla, Ortiz and Marquez
Biography
The innovative combination of the Bardic Trio consists of Scottish Tenor, Jamie MacDougall, Guitarist, Matthew McAllister and Welsh Harpist, Sharron Griffiths. The genesis of the trio was inspired when Jamie met with the renowned Mexican Harpist, Angel Padilla Crespo for a concert tour of Mexico. In 2013, the line-up changed to include Sharron and the new trio were very positively received by audiences and critics alike during their inaugural concert tour of Scotland. With effortless, informative presentation coupled with passionate, soulful performances this new chamber ensemble is fast growing in popularity. The trio released their debut album in 2017.
The trio commissioned eminent Scottish composers, Eddie McGuire and Alasdair Nicolson to arrange new settings of Welsh, Scots and Orcadian traditional songs including Burns and the Balfour Song Book. Recent performances include the St Magnus Festival in Orkney, Passauer Saiten Festival in Germany, Three Choirs Festival in Worcester, broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland during Celtic Connections in Glasgow and the Classical Guitar Retreat on the Isle of Cumbrae.
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