City Halls Glasgow, 19 January 2008

Ronald Stevenson (photo - Ian Watson)

RONALD STEVENSON has been described by Yehudi Menuhin as ‘one of the most original minds in the world of the composition of music’ and for over fifty years he has been closely involved with the many aspects of Scotland’s cultural horizons. The 15th Anniversary of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections saw the world premiere of his epic symphonic piece ‘Praise of Ben Dòrain’ or Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain, the name of the famous Gaelic poem by Duncan ‘Ban’ Macintyre which inspired the composition.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra began an evening of startling contrasts based on a common theme with Malcolm Arnold’s musically characterful masterpiece the ‘Tam o’ Shanter Overture’. From the complex orchestral interweaving of theme and motif, we then were given the complete contrast of traditional puirt a beul or mouth music from the doyenne of the genre, Kenna Campbell, on this occasion joined by James Graham, Norrie Maciver and Gillebride Macmillan, 3 of Na Seòid, The Heroes, the fine male line up of young Gaelic singers formed by Mary Anne Kennedy, who also presented the evening bilingually for live broadcast on Radio nan Gaidheal and BBC Radio Scotland.

It was refreshing to see that the singers, in their solo pieces, all performed songs which were generally out with the ‘standard’ repertoire of Gaelic concerts – more unusual songs, perhaps less well known and accompanied in totally sympathetic fashion by James Ross on piano and Mary Ann on clàrsach.

Mod Gold Medallist of 2007 James Graham’s performance of Oran do chèile nuadh pòsda or Mairi Bhàin Óg was a beautifully sensitive rendition of a song which is often regarded as one of the finest love songs of the Gaelic tradition. Kenna Campbell’s own song “Oran don Èideadh Ghàidhealach’ or A Song to the Highland Garb, was the finest example of genuine, passionate and truly sincere sentiment, describing the total joy of the Highlander at the repeal of the Act of 1782 banning the wearing of Highland Dress.

Following the interval, the BBC Symphony returned to perform the main item of the evening, Praise of Ben Dòrain. The piece was suggested to Stevenson by the poet Hugh Macdiarmid in 1962 at the Edinburgh International festival and has been a ‘work in progress’ ever since, now culminating in what is most likely the climax of Stevenson’s career.

Presented by the BBC Scottish Symphony orchestra and the choir, the composition, lasting for over 30 minutes, follows the form of the Ceòl Mor or The Classical Pibroch tradition, and Stevenson describes the ‘siubhal’ or ‘doubling’ of his piece as closely relating to the classical form of the fugue.

The orchestra joined forces with a chorus formed by Scottish Opera with the Chapel Choir of The University of Aberdeen and The Edinburgh Singers., over 100 singers in total, singing in Gaelic and English. The composer pulled inspiration from various versions of Macintyre’s poem, including the classic Gaelic song, beloved of Gaelic choirs everywhere, Cead Deireannach Nam Beann and in particular the Pibroch air Sìor caoineadh air Beinn Dobhrainn.

If the audience expectations were those of grandeur and hunting horns, extolling the virtues of the nature of the mountain, then they were not disappointed. If at times, we were slightly in danger of ‘losing our way’ on the meandering hill-top paths, we would be brought home again by the full use of the brass section of the orchestra to great effect and clashing chords reflecting the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of the countryside.

As a contemporary piece, it is melodic with lots of use of motif, and the orchestra intelligently and artistically interpret conductor James Grossmith’s idea of Stevenson’s vision. Top marks to the two young singers, Alex Fitzhowle and Ruby Dayan, who opened the piece with the initial phrases sung in Gaelic.

It is without doubt a truly iconic piece and one which deserves to become a fixture of the contemporary repertoire. Replicating the large number of singers and orchestral players might be difficult to achieve, both logistically and financially, but for this occasion it was entirely correct.

Well done to Donald Shaw and his team for having the foresight and resources to programme this work as part of the Festival – another example of the fantastic cultural diversity we are lucky enough to possess in Scotland today. ‘S math rinn sibh, Sgioba CC!

© Fiona MacKenzie, 2008

Links

• Celtic Connections