St John’s Music launches this weekend

Dec 2 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AN exciting seasonal programme entitled ‘St John’s Music’ launches in the ancient city centre kirk this weekend.

Following the recent appointment of Howard Duthie as director of music and organist at St John’s Kirk, a short winter season of musical events has been planned to showcase local musical talent in what must now be one of the Fair City’s finest concert venues.

Starting tomorrow and running until April, there will be a series of organ recitals, all at 2.30pm on the first Saturday of each month.

The highlight of Howard Duthie’s recital tomorrow will be Hamish McCunn’s ‘The Land of the Mountain and the Flood’ (even not-so-oldies will remember this as the wonderful TV theme tune from ‘Sutherland’s Law’).

There will also be music for Advent and Christmas, two sparkling toccatas and more besides. Admission is free.

Future recitalists are John Walker (January 7), Matthew Beetschen (February 4), Robert Gower (March 3) and Andrew Forbes (April 7). In its magnificent organ, the Kirk has an exceptionally fine instrument, and here now are regular chances to hear it being put through its paces.

Continuing the theme of weekend afternoon performances, there will also be frequent concerts at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon – usually the first of the month.

The first of these, on Sunday, January 8, will be given by a string quartet from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, led by Rachael Smart, with pianist Andrew Forbes (who is organ scholar at the kirk) and the music will be by Haydn, Shostakovich and Mahler.

February 5 will see a piano duet recital by Stephen Armstrong and Avril Evans and on March 4 the Ferntower Ensemble will present a programme of chamber music including Schumann’s ever-popular Piano Quintet.

On April 1 (Palm Sunday) Morag Gaskin and Morag Ainslie will sing Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Kirk’s resident string ensemble.

The music team at St John’s Kirk would be delighted to hear from anyone who shares their enthusiasm for promoting and developing this new venture. Anyone with musical/artistic expertise to offer, or who would like to help with administration and publicity, or merely wishes to support by attending regularly, is encouraged to get in touch via the Kirk website (www.st-johns-kirk.co.uk).

Perth has a wonderful asset in its centrally-placed and historic Kirk and it is open to all.

Local residents might also like to know that this year’s Watchnight Service at 11pm on Christmas Eve, to which all are welcome, will feature carol singing with brass, choir and organ.