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Twelfth Day

Venue: St Andrew's and St George's West Church
Town: Edinburgh
Date: 20/8/14
Website: http://twelfthdaymusic.com

Contemporary folk duo Twelfth Day perfomed in the atmospheric setting of St Andrew's and St George's West Church. This was primarily an opportunity for Catriona Price (fiddle and vocals) and Esther Swift (Scottish harp/clarsach and vocals) to showcase some of the songs from Twelfth Day's recent second album "The Devil Makes Three", which has received a number of very positive reviews. These included the breezy and rhythmic "Magic Circles", featuring captivating vocal harmonies; "A City You Can See Out Of" (a wistful piece inspired by the girls' adopted home of Edinburgh); and the epic title song "The Devil Makes Three", which began in enchanting lullaby fashion and then built gradually towards a dazzling, foot-stomping finish. Twelfth Day also showed their versatility with a stunning interpretation of a song by classical composer Schubert (sung flawlessly in German).

The concert also featured two pieces by local composer Neil Thomas Smith, including one written specially for Twelfth Day. There was further evidence of Twelfth Day's versatility when they were joined by five other musicians (violin, viola, cello, clarinet and flute) to deliver an immaculate performance of Ravel's "Introduction and Allegro" (with some glorioius harp solos from Esther).

Twelfth Day's beautifully harmonised singing and sparkling interplay between fiddle and harp were a delight from start to finish. Their songs and tunes show real flair and imagination and a bright musical future seems assured for these two very talented young ladies.

David Ferguson