Member profile
Mr McFall's Chamber
‘The single most important development on the Scottish music scene’ (The Herald)
Recently described by The Scotsman as ‘the jewel in the Scottish musical crown’, Mr McFall's Chamber was established in 1996 with the aim to create new audiences, new music and new directions in music. The group is formed around a core group of players from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Ballet Orchestra, consisting of string quartet, bass, piano, percussion and sometimes vocals – and more as required. Stylistically, the group is just as flexible as the ensemble itself, taking in folk, jazz, rock, tango and contemporary classical – and quite a lot more besides.
Running through the group’s history and planning for the future is a genuine desire to broaden the appeal of the (often lesser-known) music that it plays. The group is also dedicated to supporting the work of UK composers and regularly commissions new works, as well as generating new music from within the ranks of the ensemble. We believe this type of programming is integral to the sustained cultural heritage of the UK, since it continually renews and refreshes the relationship between audience and performer, keeping live music at its most vibrant.
Recent highlights have included a recording of works by Gavin Bryars (‘The Church Closest to the Sea’) for Delphian Records, and a new album of music by Martyn Bennett and Fraser Fifield (‘Birds and Beasts’), also on Delphian Records, which was described by Folk Radio UK as ‘one of the most innovative albums of the year’. The group have recently toured Scotland with renowned singer/songwriter Michael Marra, and will be releasing a live album from the tour in the autumn of 2010. McFall’s have also recently been performing their tango programme with world-renowned bandoneon player Victor Villena (formerly of the Gotan Project) and violinist Cyril Garac (from Quintetto el Despues), alongside Chilean-born singer Valentina Montoya Martinez.
Future plans include an electronic music workshop project in Edinburgh in 2011, a series of concerts incorporating new commissions from Tim Garland and Martin Kershaw, and a concert of piano quintets by Shostakovich and James Clapperton.
‘Why can’t all concerts be like this - engaging, witty, relaxed, sophisticated, exquisitely played and just plain fun?’ (The Times)
For all enquiries, please contact the General Manager, Jo Buckley: jo@mcfalls.co.uk
http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Gig-review-Mr-McFall39s-Chamber.6329508.jp
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/album-mr-mcfalls-chamber-birds--beasts-delphian-1978578.html