This year, 2013, has been designated “Year of Natural Scotland” and we’ve responded with a festival programme that not only reflects the extraordinary beauty of the Loch Shiel region but makes practical use of it - the hills will indeed be alive with a dizzying variety of sounds and music!

 

We’re delighted to welcoming some wonderful artists to Loch Shiel for the first time, alongside the return of familiar faces. Polish-based British pianist Jonathan Powell has made an international reputation for himself, not only for the way in which he embraces repertoire that would make many pianists dive for cover but also for the lucidity and beauty that he brings to everything he plays. Percussion virtuoso Simone Rebello has won awards and prizes all over the world, one of very few percussionists to have carved out a successful solo career. Cellist David Watkin is one of the most dynamic, thoughtful and imaginative musicians we've ever encountered; he will be familiar to Scottish audiences as the driving force at the lower end of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, but his solo and chamber music playing is truly wonderful too, as you’ll hear in his Bach and Schubert.

The heart of this year’s Festival, throughout the Saturday, is a celebration of Glenfinnan itself. In 2010 we held our first “Family Gala Day” just beyond the south end of the loch, at Glenborrodale Castle; this time we’re aiming to create music and delight in as much of Glenfinnan as possible, using the station, the loch itself, the viaduct, the church and the monument as venues. Guided walks between the various sites will explore the bio-diversity and the sonic possibilities of our lovely village.

 

Composers featured include: Isaac Albéniz, Steve Reich, Percy Grainger, Benjamin Britten, John Williams, J. S. Bach, Antonin Dvorak, Olivier Messiaen, Morton Feldman, Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, Aaron Copland, Giovanni Gabrieli, and Franz Schubert!

The Festival’s Artistic Director is London-based violinist Charles Mutter, Associate Leader of the BBC Concert Orchestra.