Chamber music night in Blair

An acclaimed composer and a national body for chamber music will be stopping off in Blairgowrie as part of a nationwide tour later this year.

Gareth Williams and members of Chamber Music Scotland are due to entertain in Blairgowrie Town Hall on Sunday, October 9.

The performance is being held in conjunction with the area’s BOOKMARK literary festival.

Titled ‘Songs From the Last Page’, the tour has been described as an “ambitious new song-writing project that celebrates Scottish writers and the world of stories” as part of the wider Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

Supported by EventScotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, it includes original songs in both Gaelic and Scots designed to “transform iconic moments from beloved books into inspiring soundscapes for new audiences to enjoy”, according to a spokesperson for the 10-date tour.

Irishman Williams said: “With this project we want to evoke and celebrate the spell that every reader knows – that feeling as you finish the last line of a book – and hold on to it.

“Stories are vital to every part of Scotland and every community has its own tales to tell.

“We will be visiting cities, towns and villages across Scotland this year, and adding to our collection of songs with unique compositions inspired by local writers and stories.

“From ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ to ‘Duck Feet’, this project is all about celebrating the best of our historic and modern storyellers.”

Williams will be joined on the tour by Skye Gaelic singer Deirdre Graham and traditional Scots folk singer Lori Watson, who have both been speciallycommissioned to contribute a Scottish language song to the project.

They will be performing alongside musicians including Katrina Lee, Aisling O’Dea, Stewart Webster and Justyna Jablonska.

For more information, see www. chambermusicscotland.com.