'Jazz in Perth' Weekend

Various Venues, 30-31 May

“A whopping nine events over a weekend saw a mixture of local players and acclaimed jazz stars appearing in a wide range of venues in the city. With day jazz passes available, and some free events thrown in, a warm camaraderie developed in the Perth Festival audience where we shared experiences in what became a lively itinerant jazz club.” David Smythe

"With an engaging stage presence, boundless charm, phenomenal musicality and awesome technical mastery (not to mention deceptively effortless communication skills), Martin Taylor’s ‘Standards’ delivered a terrific night’s entertainment and a memorable final night at the Festival for me."  Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review on Martin Taylor 

"We will remember this performance for Cécile’s total stage presence, her grasp on getting songs across, her lively dancing movement, her vocal delivery and range and how to work an audience. It was a treat to hear her with a lively trio in a club-like setting as bigger venues will surely beckon." David Smythe on Georgia Cécile.

An Afternoon of Gershwin

St John's Kirk, 30 May

“Then to hear Rhapsody In Blue, with Ben on piano and Seonaid’s string ensemble – well this was the icing on the cake. It was a superb afternoon and I left, as I usually leave Perth Festival concerts, wishing the concert had gone on a little bit longer.” Garry Fraser

Scottish Opera 'Pop-Up Opera'

St Matthew's Church, 30 May

“Two years ago, at the same venue, the Pop-up Opera action had taken place on the small stage.  This time, it was on the ground right up close to the audience in front of a large black screen behind which costume changes could take place.  The music and drama were so much more immediate as a result.  Facial expressions and characterisations were compelling and captivation.  Thoroughly excellent.  Full marks from me." Donal Hurley. Edinrbugh Music Review

VOCES8

St John's Kirk, 29 May

“Perth Festival has a tradition that should always be maintained, that is to have a top-class vocal, a capellla ensemble on their programme. Tallis Scholars, The Sixteen and Tenebrae have all thrilled us with their choral excellence – it was the turn this year for Voces8 to carry from where they left off. And they did so is sensational style.” Garry Fraser

"The evening’s first foray into jazz arrived in the guise of an arrangement by Jim Clements of the theme songs of two Bond movies, blended into a single piece.  John Barry’s ‘You Only Live Twice’ and Bill Conti’s ‘For Your Eyes Only’ were expertly intertwined with some scrumptious jazz chords: very stylish."  Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review

"Apart from Eric Whitacre’s All Seems Beautiful to Me, and a very brief taste of Ward Swingle’s Bach at the start of the second half, the rest of the music was more pop, but brilliantly arranged and sung." Keith Bruce, Voxcarnyx

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Perth Concert Hall, 28 May

“For the fantastic five on stage, everything – song, dance, dialogue – was impromptu, with nothing prepared in advance. This led to one of the most entertaining nights I’ve ever experienced, a masterclass of spur-of-the-moment theatrical invention.” Garry Fraser

Secret Byrd

St John’s Kirk, 24 May

“It is prob­ably fair to say that no-one present will ever hear Byrd’s music quite the same way again, and they heard it per­formed to the highest stand­ard here.” Keith Bruce, The Herald ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I love this sort of polyphonic music, but this version in its theatrical context nearly blew my mind. Phrasing, balance, diction and expression were all out of the top drawer.” Garry Fraser

"With its immersive blend of theatrical historical realisation and historically-informed performance, ‘Secret Byrd’ delivers an experience of beautiful music and thought-provoking drama."  Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review

The Ayoub Sisters

Perth Concert Hall, 23 May

“Mind-blowing stuff, prompting wild applause from the Perth audience. I am not, nor have I ever been, an awarder of stars. But if I were, it would be 5.” Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review

“This date was part of their ongoing tenth anniversary tour, so a sense of summing-up what they have done so far was appropriate. What is more exciting, however, is what they might go on to do now.”  VoxCarnyx

“Explain­ing the ori­gins of those tunes with care and charm, the sis­ters made their con­cert an inform­at­ive as well as music­ally ­be­guil­ing exper­i­ence. They have shown some determ­in­a­tion to stick to their chosen dir­ec­tion in the face of shal­lower com­mer­cial pres­sure, and deserve every recog­ni­tion that comes their way.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Herald

Resol Quartet Cafe Concert

St John's Kirk, 23 May

“If the mission was one of advocacy for the wonders of chamber music and its capacity to connect performer with listener, and listeners to each other, it was accomplished in style.  Full marks from me.” Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review