Whether by chance or design, November became Scottish month in Austin. First came the Celtic Festival on the first weekend of the month, and this weekend the Austin Symphony Orchestra (finally) gave us a double dose of classical music inspired by that greatest of all nations: Scotland.
In a concert billed as Harmony in the Highlands, the Symphony inexplicably placed a piano concerto by Prokofiev sandwiched between two Scottish pieces. While admirably done (reviewed elsewhere in Sun News Austin) it was a mood spoiler. It’s not that there is a lack of Scottish orchestral music. Why not play A Scottish Fantasy, the four-movement composition for violin and orchestra by Max Bruch? Or Scottish Rhapsody, a mighty orchestral work by Ronald Binge? When have these ever been played in Austin? I am, nonetheless, grateful for what us Scottish folk did get.
Opening the concert was An Orkney Wedding with Sunrise, by Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016), composer laureate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. It was composed in 1984 for the centenary of the Boston Pops Orchestra. This was when John Williams was Principal ConductorThis whisky-drenched piece is based on a real wedding Davies attended on Hoy Island in the Orkneys, north of the Scottish mainland.
The sound of the oboe and French horn carrying a Scottish tune is most unusual, and as the music turns into a fine old Highland fling, one can look to appreciate that this was the ‘sober’ portion of Davies’ work. Maestro Peter Bay informed the audience prior to the music that it was the instruments that were drunk, not the fine members of the Orchestra! Once the wedding party gets fully underway, we hear just three instruments (the others presumably dead drunk on the floor). Only the principal violin, viola and cello remain to stagger through to the rousing conclusion when the bagpipes make their appearance to herald the sunrise (lead photo). David Shackleford, the piper, did a fine job with the unusual task of playing in the key of A, the common key of early folk pipes, instead of the B-flat of most modern pipes. A thoroughly delightful performance of the 13-minute An Orkney Wedding, which was even performed by the Russian National Orchestra in 1997. Scores of symphony orchestras across the world have included it in their repertoire, making it a great international ambassador for Scotland (and Scottish whisky!).
In the second half of the concert, the Austin Symphony offered up a superb rendition of Symphony No. 3 by Mendelssohn. It was finished in 1842, and dedicated to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The programme notes tell us he met the royal couple, when Victoria sang with Mendelssohn accompanying her on the piano. To have a recording of that!
The first movement evokes the rapidly-changing patterns of sun and shade on the Highlands, as clouds scoot across the sky on a blustery day. After a few rays of sunshine in the 2nd movement, the stately cadences of the 3rd evoke the majesty of a great stag in the great outdoors on a rather tempestuous, rainy day. The sun breaks through again to end the symphony on a glorious note.
Music of another sort was heard at the Austin Celtic Fest on Nov. 2 and 3, with performances by several well-known artists including Cillian Vallely (who has played and recorded with Bruce Springsteen and Mary Chapin-Carpenter), the balladeer Danny O’Flaherty and the 2021 Musician of the Year, Angelina Carberry on the banjo.
As the music wafted across Pioneer Farms in north Austin, the kilts were (quite literally) flying in the game field. Pictured is one contestant in the Gaelic-named clach air a chur. The English translation as ‘stone put’ in rather too prosaic.
The real scene-stealers of the day were the Celtic dogs, who paraded around the grounds led by the Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums. They have performed in Texas, and worldwide, for 45 years. Here, they graciously posed behind the dogs at the conclusion of the parade.
To attend the next festival, which includes many vendors offering a wide range of products, keep your eye on their website: www.austincelticfestival.com
all photos with this article, copyright by C. Cunningham.