Top names set for festival
Violin superstar delighted to visit Ayrshire for performance
The cream of the crop in Scottish classical music will descend on Cumnock this summer.
Sir James MacMillan has revealed the festival programme for this year’s Cumnock Tryst Festival, with violin superstar Nicola Benedetti joining more world renowned names.
Highlights include bassbaritone Sir Willard White, Genesis Sixteen, the return of Drake Music Scotland and Clarence Adoo making his festival debut.
West Kilbride- born musician Nicola said: “I have watched The Cumnock Tryst grow into something magical in the three short years of its existence.
“I am honoured to be part of this extraordinary achievement, where first class performances combine with genuine community engagement to produce this rare and wonderful festival.
“It is a delight to return to perform in 2016.”
Festival organiser Sir James said: “Nicola Benedetti will perform with Leonard Elschenbroich and Alexei Grynyuk.
“When she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year more than a decade ago, Scotland was rightly proud.
“She has gone on to a stellar international career, but she has never forgotten her roots.”
The festival takes place at various venues, including Dumfries House, Cumnock Academy and Auchinleck Parish Church, over the weekend of September 29 to October 2.
Ayrshire’s own Scott Lygate will perform the world premiere of his specially commisioned piece, The Barony A Frame, during the festival.
Commissioned by the festival itself, the work is inspired by the monumental structure which remembers the region’s proud mining past between Auchinleck and Ochiltree.
Mr Lygate visited the site and made field recordings of the frame, which he struck percussively, and will incorporate these sounds into his music.
For more details of this year’s festival, and information on how to book tickets, visit www. thecumnocktryst. com.