Change of plan for concerts

THIS weekend’s concerts by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Edinburgh and Glasgow are going ahead without conductor Robin Ticciati who has had to withdraw for health reasons ¬ as has the scheduled soloist, pianist Igor Levit.

The programme of Bach, Schumann and Haydn remains unchanged and will be directed by the SCO’s co-leader Benjamin Marquise Gilmore, almost exactly a year on from his appointment. Spanish pianist Javier Perianes steps in to play Schumann’s Piano Concerto, which he will direct from the piano.

The concerts are at the Queen’s Hall this evening and Glasgow City Hall tomorrow at 7.30pm

Dramatic landscapes.

PAINTER Garry Pereira, who is “devoted to the Scottish Highlands” has captured views of Glencoe, and the delicate beauty of mountain streams, so dear to fishermen.

Now, an exhibition of new work, Stand & Stare, is set to reveal several of his paintings inspired by Glencoe, Sutherland and Dumfries and Galloway.

Garry Pereira has been capturing the spirit of “the earth around him, in distant lonely places, immersed in creative solitude,” for fifteen years.

His work has been featured in at least 200 solo shows around the world.

The Osborne Studio Gallery, Belgravia, London, until November 2. Entry is free.

Unpublished Scottish writer scoops double award

UNPUBLISHED author and drama teacher Iain MacDonald beaten off competition from 20 countries to picked up both major prizes at the Scottish Arts Club Short Story Awards.

MacDonald, who says he had never shown his work to anyone before except his partner, won the inaugural £500 Isobel Lodge Award for New Scottish Writing.

He also won the international £800 Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition for his story, The Gannet.

The Thurso-born writer, who was up against 400 entrants, currently teaches at Linlithgow Academy

Celebrated author and chair of the Scottish Arts Club short story judging panel, Alexander McCall Smith chose The Gannet as his favourite among all the finalists.

He described it as “atmospheric” while praising the “clarity and the economy of the prose.”

The competition is organised by the Scottish Arts Club Charitable Trust. All proceeds are used to support the arts in Scotland.

More information at www.sacctrust.org/story.

the medal unveiling for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Remembrance day concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2014.

Music to the ears

Glasgow Philharmonia, founded by Ross Gunning in 2012 at the age of 17, is to peform at the Royal Albert Hall.

The orchestra, recently granted charity status, has given over 800 young performers opportunities to showcase their talents in a wide ride of diverse productions.

The musicians performed at the medal unveiling for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Remembrance day concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2014.

Now, Glasgow Philharmonia will be participating in the Music Man Projects biggest event to date at London’s Royal Albert Hall on April 15, 2019.