Scotland Unwrapped, Kings Place
A year-long celebration of the amazingly rich contribution to music of Scottish performers, composers and inspiring landscapes
Colin Currie Quartet dazzle at Kings Place with their complex rhythms and sound world
From a violin made in Edinburgh in 1731 to cutting edge percussionist Evelyn Glennie, from artists such as tenor Nicky Spence, born in Scotland, to composers such as Mendelssohn in love with that country, Scottish music comes to the fore at Kings Place in the latest of the venue's revealing, year-long Unwrapped series.
Other great Scottish performers taking part in Scotland Unwrapped throughout 2024 include pianist Steven Osborne, percussionist Colin Currie and guitarist Sean Shibe, with many traditional folk ensembles illustrating the distinctive melodies of their own land.
James MacMillan and Judith Weir are foremost among Scottish-born composers whose huge catalogue of work is still growing, and the ever-innovative Aurora Orchestra bring together Mendelssohn, who travelled enthusiastically to Scotland from his native Germany, and the late Peter Maxwell Davies, who made Orkney his home (3 Feb).
Compositions by Judith Weir, Master of the King's Music until 2024, feature in Scotland Unwrapped. Photo: Benjamin Ealovega
The series opens on 11 January with a poignant song cycle called A Short Diary, composed by Sebastian Rochford at the piano of his grandfather's Aberdeen home. Other top dates for your diary early in the year include a Burns Night supper and ceilidh (25 Jan), vocal ensemble The Sixteen (26 Jan), and the BBC Singers in works by MacMillan and Weir (9 Feb).
Definitely sign up for Nicky Spence, Eleanor Dennis (soprano) and pianist Dylan Perez in The Larky Lad: A Journey through Scottish Song (24 April).
Evelyn Glennie and Trio HLK bring their exciting new album Anthropometricks (14 June), Osborne joins players from Aurora in Debussy and Ravel (22 Nov), and virtuoso guitarist Sean Shibe combines with fiddle player Aidan O'Rourke (6 Dec). Don't miss the Colin Currie Quartet (7 Dec): you won't believe that such music comes from percussion instruments only.
Other artists and events will be announced as the year unfolds, and the series is complemented by Scottish artists exhibiting in Kings Place's Pangolin London gallery.
Other great Scottish performers taking part in Scotland Unwrapped throughout 2024 include pianist Steven Osborne, percussionist Colin Currie and guitarist Sean Shibe, with many traditional folk ensembles illustrating the distinctive melodies of their own land.
James MacMillan and Judith Weir are foremost among Scottish-born composers whose huge catalogue of work is still growing, and the ever-innovative Aurora Orchestra bring together Mendelssohn, who travelled enthusiastically to Scotland from his native Germany, and the late Peter Maxwell Davies, who made Orkney his home (3 Feb).
Compositions by Judith Weir, Master of the King's Music until 2024, feature in Scotland Unwrapped. Photo: Benjamin Ealovega
The series opens on 11 January with a poignant song cycle called A Short Diary, composed by Sebastian Rochford at the piano of his grandfather's Aberdeen home. Other top dates for your diary early in the year include a Burns Night supper and ceilidh (25 Jan), vocal ensemble The Sixteen (26 Jan), and the BBC Singers in works by MacMillan and Weir (9 Feb).
Definitely sign up for Nicky Spence, Eleanor Dennis (soprano) and pianist Dylan Perez in The Larky Lad: A Journey through Scottish Song (24 April).
Evelyn Glennie and Trio HLK bring their exciting new album Anthropometricks (14 June), Osborne joins players from Aurora in Debussy and Ravel (22 Nov), and virtuoso guitarist Sean Shibe combines with fiddle player Aidan O'Rourke (6 Dec). Don't miss the Colin Currie Quartet (7 Dec): you won't believe that such music comes from percussion instruments only.
Other artists and events will be announced as the year unfolds, and the series is complemented by Scottish artists exhibiting in Kings Place's Pangolin London gallery.
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| What | Scotland Unwrapped, Kings Place |
| Where | Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG | MAP |
| Nearest tube | King's Cross St. Pancras (underground) |
| When |
01 Jan 24 – 31 Dec 24, Events throughout the year. Start and running times vary |
| Price | £0-£69.50 |
| Website | Click here for details and booking |