MUSIC FOR A SUMMER AFTERNOON 2009
CATHEDRAL OF THE ISLES
MILLPORT, ISLE OF CUMBRAE
A series of concerts at 3 p.m. on Sundays throughout the summer.
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July - Sundays at 3 p.m.
5 July
Telemann Ensemble
This exciting Glasgow based group will play a varied programme of Baroque music
12 July
Amanda Clark (guitar)
A solo recital which will include music by Torroba, Lovelady and a selection of Latin American music from
Amanda’s latest album “Strictly Latin”
N.B. As part of the Classical Guitar Retreat (see Other Events) entry to this concert is by ticket, price £9.00 (£7.00
concessions)
19 July
Feargus Hetherington (violin)
A solo recital which will include J.S. Bach’s famous Chaconne and other well-known works.
26 July
Graeme McNaught (piano)
A gala Recital in celebration of the arrival of the Bösendorfer concert grand piano on Cumbrae. Once owned by
the late Wight Henderson, a great Scots pianist of former years, this splendid instrument will be introduced by
Graeme McNaught, one of Scotland’s foremost pianists of today. The programme, in two halves, will include
music by Schubert, Schumann and Stevenson.
N.B. Donation programmes, price £7 (£5 concessions) available at the door.
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August - Sundays at 3 p.m.
2 August
No concert
9 August
Naylor Singers
A concert by one of London’s best choirs, presenting selections from the superb repertoire written for the great
English cathedral choirs.
16 August
Robin Orr Centenary Concert
Cumbrae Cathedral Choir
Feargus Hetherington (violin)
Katharine Laurie Jones (soprano)
A concert celebrating the achievement of one of Scotland’s best-loved composers – Robin Orr (1909-2006) –
which will include solo songs, choral, chamber and organ music. A good chance to explore his accessible but
finely written music.
23 August
Jane Guy (contralto)
David Mackie (piano)
A programme of music on the lighter side, celebrating some of the anniversaries occurring this year, which will
include works by Mendelssohn, Haydn Wood and Billy Mayerl.
30 August
Jonathan Cohen and Alastair Chisholm (2 pianos)
A concert using the Cathedral’s two grand pianos – by Lipp and Bösendorfer
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September and October - Sundays at 3 p.m.
6 September
Burnsteeg Trio
An exciting recital of American music for soprano, flute and piano including works by Copland, Barber, Gershwin,
Cole Porter and Jerome Kern
13 September
St. Maura Singers
A concert by a quartet of singers which has been associated with the Cathedral of The Isles since 1969. Their
programme will include music by Renaissance and modern composers. A happy celebration.
20 September
Andrew Johnston (piano)
A powerful Recital to include Beethoven’s Sonata in A flat Op. 110 and Mendelssohn’s Capriccio Brillante by a
fine young Scots pianist
27 September
Pure Brass
A triumphant return for this superb quintet of young brass players who gave such a stimulating recital last year.
4 October
Grazioso String Quartet
The closing concert of the series will include great works by Beethoven and Schubert for the most euphonious of
combinations – the string quartet
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Other Events
Friday 10 July at 8.00 p.m.
Matthew McAllister and the Frevo Quartet
The opening recital of the Classical Guitar Retreat will include Tangos by Piazzolo and traditional music from the
quartet’s latest recording “Standing Stones”
N.B. Tickets price £9.00 (£7.00 concession)
Saturday 11 July at 3.00 p.m.
Allan Neave (guitar)
A solo recital of works by Bach, Rodrigo, Aguado and Takemitsu
N.B. Tickets price £9.00 (£7.00 concession)
Sunday 12 July at 8.00 p.m.
Student Guitar Concert
The closing concert of the Classical Guitar Retreat with a selection of works for solo, chamber groups and
orchestra.
N.B. Retiring collection
24-26 July
Keyboard Weekend
A residential musical weekend in which the development of keyboard instruments will be explored. Harpsichord,
clavichord, early piano and organ will be demonstrated. Closing recital on Bösendorfer by Graeme McNaught.
Tuesday 4th – Saturday 8th August at 4.00 p.m.
Choral Evensong, the vehicle for the most beautiful Anglican church music, will be sung daily except Friday.
Friday 11 September at 8.00 p.m.
Steven Phillips (tenor)
Ian Watt (guitar)
George Outhie (piano)
An evening recital of British music given by a fine young tenor, interspersed with solos for piano and guitar
Saturday 26 September at 4.00 p.m.
Bel Canto Choir
Choral Evensong
Sunday 29 November at 3.00 p.m.
Advent Carol Service
Sunday 27 December at 3.00 p.m.
Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas
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The Cathedral and the Musical Resources Fund.
The Cathedral of The Isles, Millport, is Britain’s smallest Cathedral and dates from 1851. It was built on ground
owned by the Boyle family, and its founder, George Frederick Boyle, later became 6th Earl of Glasgow. It is one
of a group of buildings comprising two residential buildings (colleges) and a collegiate church designed by the
famous English architect William Butterfield. Planned as a theological college for the Scottish Episcopal Church,
in its early days it was seen as a ‘new’ Iona, and in 1876 it was consecrated Cathedral of the Isles.
From the beginning, music has played an important role in worship there, and the Cathedral has a warm,
resonant acoustic. Following an extensive fund raising campaign, an 1867 tracker action organ, built for the
opening of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Edinburgh by Frederick Holt, was restored and installed into the
Cathedral during 2004 by Wood of Huddersfield. Together with the restored Erard and Lipp pianos, the 1976
‘Cumbrae’ harpsichord, and the recently-acquired Bösendorfer concert grand piano, this has transformed the
Cathedral’s music.
Present-day musical activities in the Cathedral receive no subsidies, and the Cathedral Musical Resources Fund
has been established by the congregational Vestry to support the Cathedral’s music. The Fund’s main source of
income is the retiring collection after each concert. Please give generously - the musical artists already have.
Millport, Isle of Cumbrae…
… is easily reached from Largs. Take the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Largs Pier to Cumbrae Slip, then
board the connecting bus to Millport. For the Cathedral, ask to be set down at College Street.
How to find the Cathedral
Many visitors seem unaware of the existence of our little Cathedral because it is situated among trees behind the
town. To make your way there, find College Street, which runs at right angles to the seashore, between the
Newton Bar and the Garrison grounds. Follow College Street up the gentle hill, past George Street (Church of Our
Lady), and a little further on, you will find the entrance to the Cathedral grounds through an elaborate gateway on
your right. If you need to bring a vehicle close to the Cathedral, ask directions from one of the shopkeepers.
Retiring collection at each concert in aid of the Cathedral Musical Resources Fund
If you are a UK taxpayer, please use one of our Gift Aid envelopes available at each concert.