The Ulster Hall, the home of the Ulster Orchestra, will resound to the Songs of Robert Burns tonight (25 January) in Ye Banks and Braes, a spectacular Burns Night celebration concert to mark the birthday (his 253rd) of Scotland’s National Poet.
Eddi Reader, the leading Scottish exponent of the songs of Robert Burns joins the Ulster Orchestra with her band in a unique collaboration with the Ulster-Scots Agency in a concert that brings together musicians from the Ulster-Scots and Classical traditions.
World champion piper Robert Watt from Maghera, County Londonderry, is joined on stage by the Sollus Highland Dancers and world champion drummer Mark Wilson; while the Ulster-Scots writer and poet, Wilson Burgess, will give the traditional Burns Address. The evening is presented by the Belfast actor, writer and playwright Dan Gordon and is conducted by the acclaimed conductor/composer Carl Davis.
Looking forward to the concert, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster, Declan McGovern, the UO’s Chief Executive said, “Tonight is a great opportunity to experience Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra in a very different setting from its regular classical concerts. We are delighted to be partnering with the Ulster-Scots Agency, in a concert which is a must for everyone who loves the songs and poetry of Robert Burns.”
The Ulster-Scots Agency’s Chief Executive, Ian Crozier said, “This will be the first collaboration to take place between the Ulster Orchestra and the Ulster-Scots Agency and we are delighted to hear that so many people will be joining us tonight to celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s best loved bard Robert Burns.
“Robert Burns holds a special place in the hearts of the Ulster-Scots, in fact the influence of Burns in Ulster is such that it was said there was a time when there were but two books in Ulster homes, The Bible and Burns. It is testament to his legacy that so many people in Ulster, Scotland and across the world hold celebrations on his birthday and that 216 years after his death, his memory lives on.”
The concert will see Eddi Reader and her band perfom an number of Robert Burns’ songs with the Orchestra, including My Love is like a Red Red Rose, Green Grow the Rashes, O and Ae Fond Kiss, with the UO also performing Malcolm Arnold’s Tam O’Shanter Overture and his Scottish Dances, with Peter Maxwell Davies’ An Orkney Wedding at Sunrise, one of the few works in the classical reportoire that features the Bagpipes. Piper Robert Watt will also perform his own piece A Hero’s Tribute for Bagpipe and orchestra.
Looking forward to the concert, Wilson Burgess, the Aghadowey poet who will give the traditional Burns Address said, “As a writer of Ulster Scot verse it is a great opportunity for me to promote the Hamely Tongue and do justice to the work of Rabbie Burns. To share the stage with the Ulster Orchestra is a privilege and an honour, for which I am most appreciative. A hope al bae al richt on the nicht!”
Asked for his thought’s on tonight’s concert, presenter Dan Gordon confessed he’d try, “Not to blub like a big Jessie when Eddi sings My love is like a red red rose or Ae fond kis!”
Tickets are still available from the Ulster Orchestra on 028 9023 9955 or at www.ulsterorchestra.com.