LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO GO UNTIL CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2015
Written by Archie Fergusson on 11/01/2015
Celtic Connections 2015 will open with the live world premiere of Martyn Bennett’s final masterpiece Grit, originally released in 2003, and widely recognised as a towering landmark in contemporary Scottish music.
Combining celebration with commemoration the 2015 festival also coincides with the10th anniversary of Martyn Bennett’s untimely passing
This performance – reconstructed by violinist and composer Greg Lawson for a custom-designed orchestra of folk, jazz and classical players – extends his legacy triumphantly towards the future.
Centred on traditional music’s purest primal essence, as distilled into Scottish Gaelic and traveller songs, Grit brought to bear the full visionary sweep of Bennett’s genre-transcending artistry and technological wizardry, to both dazzling and inspirational effect.
Several years in the writing, Greg Lawson’s reimagined version features a cast of around 80 musicians and singers. a custom designed orchestra of folk, jazz and classical musicians.
An array of fantastic guest singers will be accompanied by well known folk musicians including James Mackintosh, Ross Ainslie, Ali Hutton,Catriona McKay, David McGuinness, Calum MacCrimmon and Fraser Fifield.
Highlights of the Celtic Connections Opening Concert ‘Nae Regrets’ – Martyn Bennett’s Grit will be aired on BBC Two Scotland at 9.30pm on Thursday 22nd January.
