Hear the diaspora: international concert at Strachur

Breton and Scots harpists and contemporary folk group Rallion will play in an international concert at Strachur, demonstrating how far music is the medium of the diaspora as well as of the wider celtic connection, keeping it all together in a fusion of influences expressed in a language that talks to everyone.

Cowal Open Studios and Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop have combined to arrange an international concert at Strachur as part of the Open Studios Weekend, to add to the choices for residents and weekend visitors.

Contemporary folk group Rallion will be performing traditional material with a twist using ideas from many genres of music to great effect and setting toes tapping and hands clapping; whilst international harpists, Ailie Robertson and Tristan Le Govic, will be wowing the audience with their divine exploration of Celtic harp traditions. This truly is an evening not to be missed.

Rallion (pictured above) are a great quartet with vocals, fiddles, bodhran, whistle, guitar and bouzoki. They bring a wide range of musical influences together to create their powerful, persuasive music. The band have played major folk festivals and at more intimate venues all over the world, recently touring in Italy and Canada. From heart rending ballads and slow airs, to pulsing, energetic reels, jigs and traditional songs with a twist, Rallion have a diverse repertoire that is sure to get audiences tapping their feet, and having a great night out.

Rallion will be joined by two international harpists. Breton harpist. Tristan Le Govic (pictured top) is a gold medallist from the Music Conservatoire of Rennes. It was his winning of international harp competitions and his performances at important music festivals (Festival Interceltique of Lorient and Celtic Connections) that  really brought him to the forefront of Celtic Harp players. At these events he always enchants his audiences, and his cd is viewed as a ‘must-have’: ‘His notes are light and clear but he brings depth to music of the Celtic harp. This CD has a rare aesthetic quality, delivered by a perfectionist musician.’

Scottish clarsach player Ailie Robertson links with Tristan in a cross-cultural collaboration as two harp players join forces to illustrate the traditional music from both countries. Ailie is a young artist taking her place at the very forefront of the new generation of Celtic harpists. Allie was a finalist at the 2008 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award, five times National Mod Gold Medallist and won first prize at the inaugural London Harp Competition. She has represented Scotland at the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland and played at World Harp Congresses.

• On Saturday 26th September, during the day before the evening of the concert, there are singing workshops, arts exhibition, crafts events and grub at Strachur Memorial Hall. More information is on the Cowal Open Studios website.
• The concert in the evening of Saturday 26th at 7.30pm is in Strachur Memorial Hall. It is part of the ‘Hands Across the Seas Concert Series’, supported by SAC and Argyll and the Islands LEADER project, with extra financial support from Western Ferries. More information on the concert is on the Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop website.
• For concert ticket reservations (Children FREE, Adults £10) phone: 01301 703559

Mark Morpurgo: Folk & Traditional Music Editor