Information Bulletin
Neil returns for Johnsmas
Aith pianist and composer Neil Georgeson makes a welcome return to Shetland this weekend to play a recital at the Town Hall as part of the Johnsmas Foy.
Neil will be playing a varied and exciting programme on Sunday evening, including works by Bach, Chopin, Schubert and Liszt. As well as these more familiar composers, he will also be playing works by contemporary composers such as George Crumb and Patrick Nunn (Nunn’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ was composed in response to recordings made by NASA of the sounds emanating from various planets). For those who missed out on Chroma’s own arrangement of Stravinsky’s ‘Petrouchka’ last week, Neil will be playing three of the movements, including ‘Russian Dance’, which has come to be something of a signature piece for him, and is an audience favourite. He will finish the evening’s programme with Alasdair Nicolson’s jazzy ‘42nd Street Stomp’.
Neil initially taught himself the piano, later having lessons with Carol Bulter, Enid Belshaw amd Anne Halcrow. He studied music at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Academy of Music in London, before becoming a Junior Fellow of the Academy. He is now based in London, where he is involved in a wide range of activities, performing, composing and directing many types of music. He recently recorded two CDs, one a new concerto composed for him by the American composer Aaron Holloway-Nahum, and the other a CD of Shetland music with fellow Shetland musicians Vicky Gray and Chris Stout.
Neil’s life in London is fairly hectic, with composing, performing and numerous collaborations with other musicians, film-makers, singers and composers. He also toured Taiwan last year with the pianist Veronica Yen. This year looks to be just as busy; Neil is a member of the Ossian Ensemble, who will hold a fellowship at the Royal College next year. Upcoming projects include a residency at Aldeburgh with the Camberwell Composers’ Collective, and being music director for a new opera company based in Angers, France.
In the midst of all this excitement, Neil admits that coming home to Shetland to play is the thing he always looks forward to most. ‘There is nothing like playing for a Shetland audience. There is such a sense of welcome and friendliness – you know straight away that you are at home.’
Tickets for Neil’s recital are available at Islesburgh 01595 692114, or on the door, subject to availability.
ENDS