Whistlebinkies Concert Preview
Item Posted: Monday 26th April , 2004
From Stella McCartney to Loch Goil
The Whistlebinkies were the band who were chosen to play all the music at Stella McCartney's wedding ceremony and entertained her guests at the reception. They are soon to play to a no less appreciative audience at a special event in Lochgoilhead.
The Whistlebinkies are one of Scotland's longest established and most talented music groups, and have had plaudits from all the leading players and newspapers. "They are an outstanding group" ( Herald). "Their repertoire is about as wide ranging as it is possible to be" (Scotsman).
Whenever possible the band play original and early instruments, and have been influential in the introduction of the bellows blown pipes into Scotland. Their piper, Rab Wallace, is the principle of the College of Piping in Glasgow.
Their flautist, Eddie McGuire, composes a great deal of music, unusually crossing the borders between classical and traditional music. This width of vision has led to the band playing with such a variety of artists as the late Yehudi Menuhin, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet’s production of Peter Pan, and David Essex.
Eddie is involved in the attempts to keep Castle Toward open, and the Dunoon Observer observed only a couple of weeks ago that he is “one of the best-known names in Scottish music, an accomplished flautist and composer”.
Each group member is highly accomplished in his own right, but as a combination they are a fascinating mixture. Arrangements of old tunes combine with new compositions provide an interesting example of joint creation, with all members contributing and discussing ideas.
The group's title derives from the old Scots word for a wandering beggar musician, who sat on a "bink"(bench). They certainly qualify for the name on the travelling front. They were the first Scottish Traditional musicians to perform in China and Taiwan, and they have travelled extensively throughout America and Europe. They were also specially commissioned to compose and perform "The Spirit of Flight", first performed for the Queen, rather closer to home, in Prestwick.
They are regularly heard on radio -as BBC Radio 3 s "Artists of the Week", and "In Tune" for Radio Scotland. The group often perform music for film, TV, radio and drama productions.
From an educational point of view, quite apart from the enjoyment of the music, they are excellent value as they particularly enjoy explaining the background of the music they play so passionately.
For a performance of the highest quality of Scottish traditional music and song, played in an entertaining way the Whistlebinkies are hard to beat.
Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop are putting on a "cross-arts" weekend with author readings and discussion with Michael Morpurgo, Children's Laureate and award winning author. Morpurgo is unusual, in that his writing, and his talks, appeal to people of all ages. After a FREE talk at the Lochgoilhead Village Hall everyone who wants to can adjourn to Drimsynie House Hotel for a traditional music gig that promises to be a stunner! So, whether you are 8 or 80 , go along for the afternoon.
The Whistlebinkies are performing at Drimsynie House Hotel, Lochgoilhead on Sunday 29th February. Tickets, in advance: £6.00 adults, £3.00 children. Phone Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop 01301 703481.