Kammerphilharmonie Europa return

Nobody who was there will ever forget the amazing day, almost exactly two years ago, when, in the middle of Arran’s week-long deep freeze and power failure, a touring orchestra from Germany turned up at Whiting Bay, unaware of what happened. Nobody could warn them, as power lines were down and communication dead – so two large vans rolled up at Whiting Bay Hall so find it functioning as a general refuge and soup kitchen.

What happened next was quite astonishing. When warm and full of food, the big group brought their instruments in and set up the stage as a concert platform, then burst into a performance that nobody will ever forget. Their Chinese double bass player almost danced in his enthusiastic playing, and the brilliance of the whole group was astonishing. The audience, however, was no more than 30 people, as the roads were snow-blocked and few people could get there. The Council burger van was outside, and their white-capped workers listened in astonishment. One of them gestured at the snow and said, ‘In the middle of all this, you put on a symphony concert?’

Now, the Kammerphil, as they became affectionately know, are returning, this time to the Community Theatre in Arran High School on Saturday, 21st March. Their concert is from the unusual time of 3.00 – 5.00 pm, to fit in with their touring schedule, and the programme sounds terrific.

• A. Vivaldi – ‘Concerto di Parigi’ for strings and basso continuo in G Minor RV 157
• J. N. Hummel – Concerto for Trumpet and orchestra E-flat Major – Solist Kirill Gusarov
• J.S. Bach – Concert for violin and orchestra a minor BWV 1041 – Soloist Michel Gershwin
• – Interval – 
• W.A. Mozart – Divertimento F Dur KV.138 
• A. Borodin – from Quartet Nr. 2 D Major ‘Nocturno’
• G. Holst – Suite for String Orchestra op.29 Nr.2, ‘Saint Paul’s Suite’

It is very rarely that Arran can manage to invite such a big group, and the Arran Music Society is thrilled and excited to welcome them. Tickets cost £10, which is absurdly cheap by mainland standards, and can be pre-booked from Inspirations or online from Arran Events, or else bought at the door.