The Queen’s Hall is 40
In 2019 it will be 40 years since the Queen’s Hall became one of Edinburgh’s favourite music venues.
Since then many musicians and other acts have graced the stage there and entertained audiences.
Chair of the Board Nigel Griffiths introduced some of the programme for the year at an event this morning when Blue Rose Code entertained the small audience.
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Dr Griffiths explained that the hall has just emerged from the scaffolding which shrouded almost £1 million of works to the outside. Now they will turn their attention to inside where a new sound system will be installed.
The full programme is now on the Queen’s Hall website and we have included the listing below.
Events begin on 12 January when John McCusker introduces a house bank including names like James Mackintosh, Ian Carr, Ewen Vernal, Michael McGoldrick and Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) with special guests, so far, Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), Kathleen MacInnes, Phil Cunningham, Adam Holmes, Daoiri Farrell, Heidi Talbot and Rachel Sermanni. More guests are to be announced.
The Queen’s Hall is a registered charity (SC012294) with limited funding from The City of Edinburgh Council, and relies on donations from private individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors to boost ticket and bar income. This allows them to bring world-class musicians to the hall and carry out a year-round programme of community and engagement work.
As part of this work is Homecoming 2: The Return of Mackay’s Memoirs on 4 March. In 1999, Martyn Bennett was commissioned to write a special piece of music commemorating the centenary of Broughton High School to be performed by students at The City of Edinburgh Music School (CEMS). The piece was performed at the opening of The Scottish Parliament and a recording of it was completed the day Martyn died. Four of the original musicians – Maeve Gilchrist (clarsach), Ben Duncan (pipes), Adam Clifford (percussion) and Dave Lloyd (beats and loops) – return to perform the piece in this very special concert with CEMS Chamber Orchestra.
For jazz fans there will be the BBC Big Band on 30 March with Claire Martin OBE. The programme will include standards made famous the female jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday.
On 6 July 2019 there will be a commemorative concert when multi-award-winning Scottish pianist Steven Osborne will perform with one of the world’s finest cellists Alban Gerhardt, presenting a programme of Schumann, Brahms, De falla, Debussy and Ravel.
Blue Rose Code announced the return of his fabulously successful Fringe show This is Caledonian Soul on 19 August 2019 when he will play cult, iconic and classic Scots song with his own emphasis and style. There will be accompaniment from a 14 piece band and some very special guests.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra maintain their home at the hall and will also perform there during the year.
Further classical highlights include a dedicated anniversary concert by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) on 24 October (details to be announced in early 2019) and a return for the popular festival of chamber music, Winterplay on 16 February, directed by Susan Tomes.
The SCO have called The Queen’s Hall home since 1979 and were instrumental, along with the Scottish Baroque Ensemble (now the Scottish Ensemble) and the Scottish Philharmonic Singers in helping to raise £850k in 1977 to turn the Church of Newington and St Leonard’s into the established venue it is today.
QH@40 will take place throughout the year – a series of adventures in music with curated performances in four strands (jazz, folk, pop/indie and experimental) in partnership with guest curators.
The first of these to be announced is Jazz, curated by Tommy Smith and supported by Creative Scotland. For the first time in many years, Tommy will be showcasing one of his most acclaimed pieces Beasts of Scotland on 18 April with his Sextet, narration by Tam Dean Burn and support from Square One.
On 13 June he reunites with pianist Brian Kellock and Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, with support from the Fergus McCreadie Trio. Details of other events in the jazz and other strands will be announced in early 2019.
Evan Henderson, Chief Executive of The Queen’s Hall said : “We’re really pleased that Creative Scotland understands what we are trying to achieve by introducing these new strands to our programme, as we embark on the journey that will take The Queen’s Hall’s into the next stage of its life. We’re committed to developing ambitious events which push the boundaries of music genres, partnering with musicians and artists who are the best in their field who wouldn’t be able to take artistic risks without Creative Scotland’s support.”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, commented: “Next year The Queen’s Hall will be in a great position to look back on everything it has achieved across the 40 years but also to look ahead to a dynamic new position at the heart of Edinburgh’s live music scene. Alongside the major refurbishment of the building, the anniversary programme has the potential to open up this much loved venue to new audiences. Creative Scotland is delighted to support an artistic vision that will breathe life into and broaden horizons of the capital’s music calendar.”
Tickets for most events are on sale now
Southside of the Tracks: 40 years of traditional music at The Queen’s Hall, Sat 12 Jan
Curated by Scotland’s foremost fiddle player, John McCusker and featuring a stellar line-up of singer-songwriters, including Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), Kathleen MacInnes, Heidi Talbot, Phil Cunningham, Rachel Sermanni, Adam Holmes, Daoiri Farrell and more. Supported by Ettrick Trust.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/southside-tracks
Neil & Liam Finn, Fri 18 Jan
The Crowded House front man and son perform their new album Lightsleeper.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/neil-liam-finn
Arod Quartet, Mon 21 Jan
First New Town Concert of 2019. Other concerts during the year include a conclusion to Paul Lewis’s two-year recital programme.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/arod-quartet
Christian Zacharias, Thu 24 Jan
Acclaimed pianist performs in support of the East Neuk Festival Endowment Fund.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/christian-zacharias
Apollo & Daphne, Tue 5 Feb
The first Dunedin Consort concert of 2019 with other concerts throughout the year including the Matthew Passion. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/apollo-daphne
Jazz Scotland: Belgian Jazz, Thu 7 Feb
Details to be confirmed.
Jimeoin, Sat 9 Feb
Brilliantly observed, ever-evolving and hilarious comedy from the Irish-Australian.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/jimeoin
Winterplay, Sat 16 Feb
An all-day festival of beautiful chamber music directed by Susan Tomes (piano) with Erich Höbarth (violin), Philip Higham (cello), Janice Galloway (spoken word), Robert Philip (talk) and Monica Wilkinson (children’s workshop). Featuring Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Suk and Schubert. Supported by Harriet’s Trust.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/winterplay-2019-seasons-music-and-words
Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love), Sat 23 Feb
The award-winning journalist and podcast host launches the paperback copy of her bestselling book. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/dolly-alderton-everything-i-know-about-love-live
Collabro, Fri 1 Mar
Popular vocal quartet stop off en route to the Royal Albert Hall.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/collabro
The Edinburgh Highland Reel & Strathspey Society annual concert, Sat 2 Mar
A varied programme of traditional Scottish fiddle music.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/edinburgh-highland-reel-strathspey-society-annual-concert
Homecoming 2: The Return of Mackay’s Memoirs, Mon 4 Mar
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Martyn Bennett’s commemorative piece, four of the original musicians (Maeve Gilchrist, Ben Duncan, Adam Clifford and Dave Lloyd) will perform the stunning composition alongside pupils from the City of Edinburgh Music School.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/homecoming-2-return-mackays-memoirs
Midge Ure, Sun 10 Mar
‘Songs and Stories’. Midge will play with Cole Stacey and Joe O’Keefe (India Electric Company) and answer audience questions. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/midge-ure
Naturally 7 with Edinburgh Schools Jazz Orchestra, Thu 14 Mar
As part of the Resonate series of concerts in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Instrumental Music Service, the ESJO get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support America’s foremost a cappella group who have shared a stage with Michael Bublé and Coldplay. In partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council Instrumental Music Service.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/naturally-7
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra presents Norse Myths with Arild Andersen and Paolo Vinaccia, Sat 23 Mar
Details to be confirmed.
UFO Final tour, Fri 29 Mar
50th anniversary and final tour for the hard rock band.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/ufo-last-orders-50th-anniversary-tour
BBC Big Band feat Claire Martin OBE, Sat 30 Mar
Multi award-winning jazz vocalist and radio presenter, Claire Martin OBE, joins the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band for a unique celebration of the legendary ladies of jazz including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and their contemporaries. Supported by Sam Breadon (a member of The Queen’s Hall).
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/bbc-big-band-featuring-claire-martin-obe
Hairy Bikers, Fri 5 Apr
An epic night of cooking and conversation from Si King and Dave Myers.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/evening-hairy-bikers
Jenna Reid & Harris Playfair with Mr McFall’s Chamber, Sun 7 Apr
One of Shetland’s finest and most accomplished modern-day fiddlers, Jenna Reid, is joined by long-time accompanist Harris Playfair and the genre-defying string ensemble Mr McFall’s Chamber in a sumptuous double-bill of musical mastery.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/jenna-reid-and-harris-playfair-mr-mcfalls-chamber
Julian Clary’s Born to Mince tour, Wed 10 Apr
In this outrageously camp new show, Clary bares his soul as never before in the interest of light entertainment. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/julian-clarys-born-mince-tour
Wilko Johnson with Glenn Tilbrook, Fri 12 Apr
The original Dr Feelgood guitarist and founding member of Squeeze share the bill.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/wilko-johnson-special-guest-glenn-tilbrook
Tommy Smith Sextet: Beasts of Scotland with Square One, Thu 18 Apr
Beasts of Scotland is inspired by the late Edwin Morgan’s poetry created to describe the characteristics of Scottish wildlife. Smith revisits one of his most successful and compelling pieces for the first time in many years, a suite of musical portraits which crackles with jazz spontaneity with narration by Tam Dean Burn. Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Medici Advisors. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/tommy-smith-sextet-beasts-scotland [link live on Monday, 10am]
Lake Street Dive, Sun 21 Apr
The multi-genre band from Boston, Massachusetts showcase their new album.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/lake-street-dive
Tim Garland: Weather Walker, Fri 10 May
Three world-class virtuosi (Garland, Jason Rebello and Yuri Goloubev) at the height of their creative powers perform material born from Tim’s love of the natural world. The music uses folk song and some unconventional atmospheric devices.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/tim-garland-weather-walker
Neu! Reekie!, Sat 11 May
Details to be confirmed.
Tommy Smith, Brian Kellock & Kathleen MacInnes plus Fergus McCreadie Trio, Thu 13 Jun
Tommy’s enduring partnership with pianist Brian Kellock has produced outstanding albums and enthralled audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. They’re joined for part of this concert by Kathleen MacInnes, one of the great voices in Gaelic singing. Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Medici Advisors.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/tommy-smith-brian-kellock-kathleen-macinnes [link live on Monday, 10am]
40th Anniversary Concert: Steven Osborne & Alban Gerhardt, Sat 6 Jul
To celebrate the opening of The Queen’s Hall by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 6 July 1979, multi-award-winning Scottish pianist Steven Osborne and one of the world’s finest cellists, Alban Gerhardt, will perform a one-off concert with a programme of Schumann, Brahms, De falla, Debussy and Ravel. http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/steven-osborne-and-alban-gerhardt [link live on Monday, 10am]
Henning Wehn: Get On With It, 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25 Aug
With his lack of transferable skills and belief in practice makes perfect, the German Comedy Ambassador has bosched out yet another show. Following on from his sold-out success in 2015 and 2017 we’re delighted to welcome him back to The Queen’s Hall for the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/henning-wehn-get-it
This is Caledonian Soul presented by Blue Rose Code, Mon 19 Aug
Ross Wilson (aka Blue Rose Code) with the help of a 14-piece band and some very special guests, attempts to answer the question, ‘What is Caledonian Soul?’ by offering his unique take on generations of cult, iconic and classic Scots song.
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/caledonian-soul [link live on Monday, 10am]
Ben Elton, Fri 4 Oct
Details to be confirmed.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra Anniversary Concert, Thu 24 Oct
Details to be confirmed.
Edinburgh Light Orchestra Annual Concert, Sat 9 Nov
Details to be confirmed.
Ardal O’Hanlon – The Showing Off Must Go On, Fri 15 Nov
Acclaimed stand-up from the star of Death in Paradise, Father Ted and My Hero (BBC).
http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/ardal-ohanlon-showing-must-go
The Queen’s Hall: www.queenshall.net / 0131 668 2019.