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Catriona McKay and Chris Stout

Venue: St Andrew's and St George's West Church
Town: Edinburgh
Date: 18/8/14
Website: http://mckaystoutmusic.co.uk

Catriona McKay (Scottish harp/clarsach) and Chris Stout (fiddle) are two of the most outstanding Scottish musicians and composers of their generation. They have forged a close musical bond over the years, recording albums together and collaborating in a range of Scottish and world music projects. The exceptional acoustics in St Andrew's and St George's West Church were tailor-made for their particular brand of musical magic.

The breathtaking set of tunes served up by Catriona and Chris majored on their widely-acclaimed 2010 album "White Nights", with the highlights including the endlessly inventive "Isflak"; the exhilirating "White Nights"; the uplifting "A Home Under Every Tree"; and the sparkling "Edge and High Water". We were also treated to one of the movements from the new "Seavaigers" album, a concerto composed by Sally Beamish and recorded with the Scottish Ensemble. This set showcased the individual virtuosity and dazzling interplay between two musicians at the very top of their games. Catriona's harp playing ranges from incredibly intricate to rhythmically exciting and Chris's fiddle swoops and swings with great elegance and pananche.

As an added treat, Chris and Catriona were joined for the last third of the gig by Finlay MacDonald, the charismatic Scottish piper and whistle player. This was the cue for the trio to launch into a lively and entertaining set of tunes from Chris and Finlay's fine 2013 album "The Cauld Wind". An inspirational evening of music was brought to a close with a stunning rendition of Chris Stout's "Michaelsound", a moving tribute to the late Michael Ferrie (a founder member of the Shetland band Fiddlers' Bid, in which Catriona and Chris both play). This concert deservedly won a "Herald Angel" award a few days later

David Ferguson