It’s time for a Cumnock Tryst with Barbara & Co
The Festival’s name was inspired by a piece of music Sir James MacMillan wrote in the 1980s when still living in Ayrshire. This was a setting of William Soutar’s love poem, The Tryst. Tryst is an old Scots word which means meeting or a romantic rendezvous. Cumnock ties into this sense of coming together for four packed days and nights for music- lovers.
From song to strings and saxophone to Scots legend Barbara Dickson , the Cumnock Tryst has crept up on us this year.
For a few autumn days the town hosts a festival of music, bringing some of the world’s greatest musicians into churches and halls and into the heart of the community.
The creator and artistic director Sir James MacMillan CBE has put together yet another musical coup for his home town.
Curtain up is on Thursday night, and until Sunday, a magnificent seven venues will enjoy a wide variety of performances.
St John’s Church, Cumnock Academy, New Cumnock Town Hall, Dumfries Arms Hotel, Cumnock Old Church Dumfries House and Trinity Church are all at the ready.
The opening concert of the sixth Tryst is given by artists in residence, Mr McFall’s Chamber and Cappella Nova, Scotland’s specialists in unaccompanied vocal music. They will perform at Trinity Church at 7.30pm on Thursday ( October 3) with the world premiere of two new pieces by Michael Murray, both Cumnock Tryst Festival Commissions.
Later on Thursday ( 9.45pm) Barbara Dickson takes to the stage with Nick Holland at the Dumfries Arms Hotel.
‘ Flow Gently’ is the concert culmination of a fascinating creative project involving Mr McFall’s Chamber, young composers from Auchinleck Academy, dancers and string players, four composers from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the wonderful learning team at the Citizens Theatre. Baton up at noon on Friday in Cumnock Academy.
Sax Ecosse is a quartet of saxophone players, including New Cumnockian composer Jay Capperauld, whose music is now well known to Tryst audiences. The ensemble has enjoyed considerable success throughout the UK and Europe and play FREE as part of the Festival Club at the Dumfries Arms from 9.45pm on Friday night.
And on Saturday at the Dumfries Arms you can also enjoy for free, The Farmers Choir.
Exactly a year older than The Cumnock Tryst, The Farmers Choir was established for the 75th anniversary of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs in 2013. What started as a one- off has continued and now the choir performs all over Scotland and the north of England. And of course you can tuck into lashings of food and drink while at the Festival Club.
Another highlight is on Sunday afternoon in the splendour of Dumfries House with the Festival Promenade. Performers include Simon Smith ( piano), Maximiliano Martín ( clarinet) and the strings of Mr McFall’s Chamber. This is real chamber music happening in the Tapestry Room, the Great Steward’s Entrance Hall and the Great Steward of Scotland’s famous Dining Room. Tickets and full details are online at www. thecumnocktryst. com or call 0141 332 5057.