
Beth Taylor & Hamish Brown
Beth Taylor & Hamish Brown
Hear evocative musical depictions of iconic female figures from myth, in the Festival debut of Scottish mezzo soprano Beth Taylor.
Scottish mezzo soprano Beth Taylor, praised by the Telegraph for her ‘tender and magnificent’ tone, makes her Festival debut with regular collaborator, pianist Hamish Brown. Their carefully curated recital is inspired by the sea and iconic female figures from myth from the Lorelei to Cassandra and Medusa.
Women composers are especially well represented in this programme. Among the many treats are Ethel Smyth’s atmospheric Three Moods of the Sea, Lili Boulanger’s pensive Reflets, Clara Schumann’s thrilling Die Lorelei and rapt chants by medieval composers Kassia and Hildegard of Bingen. There’s also a rare chance to hear songs from the enigmatic singer-songwriter and activist Connie Converse’s last known work – the haunting Cassandra Cycle.
Beth Taylor also performs two works specially written for her. Cameron Biles-Liddell’s The Breakers evokes Scottish seascapes, while Stuart MacRae and poet JL Williams look through Medusa’s many eyes to seek the humanity behind the monstrous image.
This concert will be recorded for broadcast by our partners BBC Radio 3. Find out more.
Beth Taylor captured that wistful side with her beautifully clear and haunting voice, while the crystalline intricacies of Hamish Brown's flawless piano technique provided the perfect accompaniment.
Multibuy Offer
Elevate your August mornings. Buy tickets for three or more morning concerts at The Queen’s Hall and get 20% off. Excludes top price tickets (price bands A and J) and concessions.
What to expect at The Queen's Hall
Tune out the outside world and let morning recitals encircle you in rich concentration. This is the atmosphere where world-class chamber music thrives.
Please ensure your phone is turned off during the performance. If you need help, please ask a friendly member of staff.
Programme
Sung in Greek, Latin, French, English, Orcadian, Scots, and German with English surtitles
Full programme
Hildegard von Bingen O Ignee Spiritus (Antiphon)
Augusta Holmès Pareil a la mer profonde (from 20 Mélodies no. XV)Le Vin (from Les Sept Ivresses no. II)
Lili Boulanger Reflets
Cameron Biles-Liddell
Traditional Orkney folksong arr. Biles-Liddell The Grey Selkie o’ Sule Skerry
Dame Ethel Smyth Three Moods of the Sea
Fanny Hensel Schwanenlied
Connie Converse Excerpts from the ‘Cassandra Cycle’
Clara Wieck-Schumann Die Lorelei
Germaine Tailleferre Pancarte pour une Porte d’entrée
Stuart Macrae Medusa
Performers
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- Beth TaylorMezzo soprano
- Hamish BrownPiano




