Five stars all round for Glamis Castle Musicale performers

The mandate of the Glamis Musicale is simple. Provide a musical evening featuring established or up-and-coming musicians.

That seems simple but it’s not. Stanley Callaghan and his committee have to maintain a level of excellence bred from 45 years of this Glamis Castle event by tapping into the many semi-professional or professional performers on the musical circuit. They also have to source some new local talent to provide a glimpse of what is to come.

I felt that this year’s event, held in the castle on Friday evening, might have been the best I’ve witnessed.

Variety is the utmost priority of musicale performers and the three young men on show certainly provided that. Violinist George Smith mixed Handel with Brahms and Mozart, adding a smattering of Scottish fiddle music. One heck of a lot of notes, despatched with authority and style. He’s a musician at home in any genre or style but I suspected a real affinity with the music of his homeland, be it Strathspey, reel or jig.

Tenor David Horton displayed similar versatility, and the ability to put a song over no matter the context. Ravel and Massenet was cheek and jowl with Wolf, Sullivan and Lehar. His opera training stood out in perfect delivery, adopting the persona of a love struck lad, strutting peacock or homesick soldier.

Last but not least is Carnoustie High pupil Chris Flynn. Unfortunately, the euphonium isn’t an orchestral instrument, but brass and wind bands will cry out for a musician of his promise. Triple tonguing and a marvellous tone allied to a superb technique unveiled a young talent to savour.

Behind any performer lies an accompanist without whom he or she would be superfluous. Nancy Crook takes huge plaudits for her ability to provide staunch support through a myriad of mediums as did Michael Robertson. In short, five stars all round.