Mary Ann Kennedy

Aiseag

Aiseag (The Ferryboat) is connection. A lifelong fascination creates a journey between the Highlands and Canada’s Gaelic diaspora. Electronica and found sound, Cape Breton and Scottish Highland musicians, a Gaelic choir and a Glasgow string section all aboard with composers Mary Ann Kennedy and Scott Macmillan, audio designer Nick Turner and poet, Aonghas MacNeacail.

‘I am extremely excited to be collaborating with Mary Ann, Nick and writer Aonghas MacNeacail for the New Music Biennial, exploring cultural connections that are ferried between the Celtic diaspora of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and the Celtic nations of the UK. The project will also fulfil a personal ambition to create new music for contemporary Gaelic writing.’ Scott Macmillan, Nova Scotia, Canada, composer/guitarist

‘We hope that Aiseag for the New Music Biennal will help inspire an understanding of two sister cultures within the Commonwealth, rooted in part in the dramatic landscape that surrounds our Watercolour Music studios in Highland Scotland. It continues our ongoing passion for the connections between language, music, people, land – and of course, sea.’ Nick Turner, Director, Watercolour Music

Timing: 16’39

About Mary Ann Kennedy

Mary Ann Kennedy is one of the most highly-respected performers on the Scottish music scene, championing the place of Scotland’s burgeoning contemporary talent in the global roots firmament. Also in demand as a music producer, she has produced albums for many other singers and musicians. Her work is based at the residential recording studios and creative retreat developed by herself and husband Nick Turner at Watercolour Music in the Scottish West Highlands.

She is a double Mòd Gold Medallist at Gaeldom’s premier festival of language and music, and twice winner of the Concours International de la Harpe Celtique in Lorient, France. She is the recipient of a Saltire Award for her groundbreaking Gaelic choral work, Lasair Dhè, and continues to work with the award-winning Còisir Ghàidhlig Inbhirnis (Inverness Gaelic Choir).

Mary Ann was a member of the highly-acclaimed Gaelic band Cliar, winners of all-time Best Album at the inaugural Scots Trad Music Awards. Her current work concentrates on an album project, Fonn, showcasing the music and history of her mother’s family.

Watercolour Music

Watercolour Music is a music production company and recording studio complex in the beautiful West Highlands of Scotland, owned and run by producer and songwriter Nick Turner and his wife, musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.

Watercolour Music's studios have been at the heart of a huge range and number of recordings, many of them award-winners. All musical life is here – pop and rock, americana, jazz, country, dance, hip-hop, spiritual, classical, traditional and medieval. As producer and engineer, Nick has recorded major names and emerging artists, and everything from choirs to rock bands to fire extinguishers.

The performance of Aiseag was recorded live by the BBC at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 2 August 2014 and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 9 August 2014.

For details of all New Music Biennial commissions, visit http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/new-music-biennial

New Music Biennial is generously supported by the following committed patrons, funders and partners:

NMC Recordings is a charitable company (reg. no. 328052) established for the recording of contemporary music by the Holst Foundation; it is grateful for the support of Arts Council England and the Britten-Pears Foundation.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:

NMC Recordings Ltd, Somerset House, Third Floor, South Wing, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Tel. +44 (0)20 7759 1827/8 • Fax. +44 (0)20 7759 1829 E-mail: [email protected]• Website: www.nmcrec.co.uk

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