Mozart Serenata Notturna
Purcell Fantasia on 1 note
Debussy Music from Epigraphes Antiques
Fauré Berceuse
Prokofiev Vision Fugitives
Stravinsky 3 pieces no 1 and no 2
Tippett Lament (variation from Sellinger’s Round)
Dave Maric New Work for Solo Percussion, Solo Piano and Electronics and Ensemble WORLD PREMIERE
Stravinsky Concerto in D

Cumnock Tryst artists in residence this year are the brilliant string players of Scottish Ensemble, joined in this opening Tryst concert by the world-renowned Scottish percussionist Colin Currie.

The programme culminates in the world premiere, co-commissioned by The Cumnock Tryst, of a new concertante work by and performed with the unique composer Dave Maric, who has produced numerous works for the concert hall, stage, TV and film. He has been championed by some of the world’s great performers including Colin Currie, who joins us at the Tryst fresh from a whirlwind of international performances of solo recitals and concertos.

Scottish Ensemble’s programme for Cumnock is an exciting procession through musical history from the Baroque splendours of Purcell, the classical genius of Mozart, the soft, French, pictorial romantic beauty of Debussy and Fauré, and the energetic modernism of 20th century Russians, Prokofiev and Stravinsky.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 100 mins inc 20 min interval.

Supported by PRS for Music Foundation, Hinrichsen Foundation and Hillhouse Quarry Group Ltd

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…

Everyone is welcome to join us at the free Festival Club on Thursday and Saturday nights. Free tickets are available in advance from the Box Office, with a limited number available on the door. The bar will be open until late with a special Festival Club menu for supper and snacks. Join us to relax and enjoy some great music!

The first Festival Club concert this year welcomes the Centrestage Gospel and Soul Choir.

Centrestage in Kilmarnock offers music theatre classes and rehearsals for all ages. Since 2006, their Gospel and Soul Choir has been an integral part of the organisation. The choir is comprised of individuals from all walks of life and embodies a true community atmosphere as members enjoy harmonising to a wide range of Gospel and Soul favourites every week.

Approx running time 60 mins, no interval.

Drake Music Scotland with Scottish Ensemble musicians, James MacMillan and Colin Currie.

Cumnock Tryst welcome back Drake Music Scotland for a third time in their ongoing collaboration. Their project last year culminated in The Bell Tree, a narrative-based concert exploring aspects of Cumnock history, given by pupils from Hillside School and adults from the Riverside Centre. This year they are joined by students of Auchinleck Academy and the strings of Greenmill Primary School, performing alongside our artists in residence, Scottish Ensemble and percussionist Colin Currie.

The combined ensembles will present a four movement ‘symphony’ with each group taking a movement, based around colours and moods evoked by the music presented by Scottish Ensemble in the other Tryst concerts. This work is the outcome of a series of educational workshops led by James MacMillan and Matilda Brown, focusing on composition and invention, enhanced by a beautiful video presentation, which allows the audience to see into the close workings of Drake Music Scotland and their local performers.

Join us at Cumnock Academy for what is turning out to be the emotional highlight of each Tryst Festival. The combination of some of Scotland’s greatest musicians with young local music students, under the auspices of Drake Music Scotland and their wonderful collaborators at Hillside and Riverside makes this a must-see at this year’s Tryst.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 75 mins, no interval.

In collaboration with Boswell Book Festival.

Upbeat: The Story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq - Paul MacAlindin in conversation with James Knox.

The story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq told by its musical director from its inception to its eventual end. The NYOI came through the most difficult and dangerous of times to produce fine music not only in Iraq but also in Britain, Germany and France. A beacon of hope and achievement the young musicians and their tutors made bridges across their own ethnic divisions, made great music in the most trying and tragic of circumstances, and became their country’s best ambassadors in 5000 years.

We are pleased to welcome James Knox of the Boswell Book Festival in collaboration with the Tryst. The Cumnock Hour is a place where we can explore the ideas and issues around music. Our literary theme will allow us to delve into an amazing story of the Scottish musician who worked wonders in the war zone of Iraq, overcoming hatred and division, and bringing people together through the power of music. We are delighted to welcome the extraordinary Paul MacAlindin to The Cumnock Hour.
Sir James MacMillan

Elliott Carter Figment V
Per Norgaard Fire Over Water
Toshio Hosokawa Reminiscence
Bruno Mantovani Moi, jeu...
Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B
Karlheinz Stockhausen Vibra-Elufa
Rolf Wallin Realismos Mágicos

Hailed as “the world’s finest and most daring percussionist” (The Spectator), Colin Currie is a solo and chamber artist at the peak of his powers. Championing new music at the highest level, Currie is the soloist of choice for many of today’s foremost composers and he performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors.

A dynamic and adventurous soloist, Currie’s unrivalled commitment to commissioning and creating new music was recognised in 2015 by the Royal Philharmonic Society who awarded him the Instrumentalist Award. We welcome him to the Tryst, and to a brand new venue for us, New Cumnock Town Hall. For this solo recital he brings some of the most astonishing modern percussion repertoire to Ayrshire. His virtuosity will astound our audience, and the music will take them on a unique journey of aural discovery. Not to be missed.

I have known Colin Currie since he was a teenager and have watched him grow into one of the great musicians of our time. Like another world-renowned Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie, he is a source of pride for musical Scotland. (What is it about Scots and hitting things?!) He has given scores of performances of my Veni, Veni Emmanuel around the world and I wrote my second percussion concerto for him recently. This will be one of the Tryst’s most special events.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 90 mins inc 20 min interval.
Supported by PRS for Music Foundation.

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…

The Dumfries Arms 300th anniversary concert

Who can forget the Ian Peaston concert at the first Tryst in 2014? He returns in this special concert to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Dumfries Arms Hotel. Who better to perform this than this extraordinary musician who grew up in Cumnock and went to school here? Ian plays violin through a sampler that enables him to build up a big sound consisting of loops of his own playing. The results are astonishing, making him sound like an orchestra one minute and a rock band the next.

One morning, walking through Helsingborg in Sweden I see Henrik Larsson in a roadside café. Ten minutes later I’m standing in front of their orchestra and there’s a guy from Cumnock sitting in the first violins! Ian Peaston has branched out as an extraordinarily versatile and creative solo performer and brings back some of his amazing electric eclecticism to his amazing electric eclecticism to his home town.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 90 mins inc 20 min interval.

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…

Dalmellington Band
The Wallace Collection
Conductor Martyn Brabbins

Martyn Brabbins Prelude
Eric Ball Resurgam
Herbert Howells Suite from Pageantry
Jay Capperauld As Above, So Below WORLD PREMIERE (commissioned by John Wallace)
Martyn Brabbins Miniature No 1
Mendelssohn Overture from Fingal’s Cave
Holst March from A Moorside Suite

Cumnock Tryst are delighted to welcome back Dalmellington Band for this special concert in Cumnock Old Church. Brass music has been a feature of cultural life in Ayrshire for generations, just as it has been in many industrial areas of the UK. Some of the country’s greatest musicians were brass band players before pursuing major careers as soloists, conductors and composers.

Today’s conductor was a band trombonist before his life as a major conductor, taking him all over the world. Known to Scottish audiences through his fruitful relationship with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins is now artistic director of English National Opera. His programme today combines some favourite British band standards with a brand new piece by New Cumnockian Jay Capperauld. His new work has a concertante role for brass quintet, and today’s virtuosi are The Wallace Collection led by John Wallace who began his musical life in the colliery bands of Fife.

It is a delight to welcome my old friends Martyn Brabbins and John Wallace to the Tryst. Martyn returns to his musical roots and includes a couple of short band pieces he wrote himself some years ago. John has had a brilliant career as a world-class trumpeter before his time as Principal of the RCS. It will be wonderful to see them work closely with our local renowned band in well-loved repertoire, as well as launching an exciting, innovative new work by our very own Jay Capperauld.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 70 mins, no interval.
Supported by PRS for Music Foundation and Cumnock and Doon Valley Minerals Trust.

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…

Conductors James MacMillan, Martin Baker
Allegri Miserere mei, Deus
Michael Murray Pilgrims WORLD PREMIERE
Michael Murray King David’s Dance WORLD PREMIERE
James MacMillan Seven Last Words from the Cross

Cumnock Tryst artists in residence, Scottish Ensemble are tonight joined by the brilliant young Scottish guitarist Sean Shibe and the world-renowned Westminster Cathedral Choir. Once again back at the beautiful St John’s Church we present a varied programme of ancient and new music. We are delighted to present two brand new commissioned works by Auchinleck composer Michael Murray. Self-taught from school days, Michael has had a life-long commitment to writing music and is now emerging as a composer of note. The Tryst is proud to give him this platform.

His guitar concerto and a special encore piece form the centrepiece of this concert, preceded by the famous choral masterpiece Miserere by Allegri, written for the Sistine Chapel centuries ago, which takes the voice of a boy soloist into the stratosphere. In the second half choir and orchestra combine in a performance of the signature cantata by the Tryst’s Artistic Director; MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross, will be conducted by the composer himself.

I have written a number of works for the incredible choir of Westminster Cathedral, and I am delighted to welcome them to my old church of St John’s where I played the organ as a teenager. They sing my Seven Last Words beautifully and they will be joined by the string ensemble I wrote it for. An added pleasure for me is to give the world premieres of works by another local composer who has written for an outstanding soloist, Sean Shibe.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 120 mins inc 20 min interval.
Supported by PRS for Music Foundation.

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…

The Tapestry Room
Sean Shibe, Guitar
JS Bach Lute Suite No. 4 in E

The Entrance Hall (standing, with limited seats for those with mobility support)
The Wallace Collection, brass quintet
Jim Parker Golden Section

The Great Steward’s Dining Room
Scottish Ensemble – quintet
Tabakova Insight (trio)
Mozart String Quintet No. 4 in G minor, K516, IV Adagio – Allegro

Our Festival finale sees us return to the beautiful setting of Dumfries House for our three-part series of mini-recitals. The music of JS Bach played by guitarist Sean Shibe, Scotland’s young new musical superstar, in the Tapestry Room should be a delight. The Wallace Collection will then provide a brassy counterblast in the Entrance Hall with some jazzy sounds from America. The Festival comes to a close with another quintet, this time from our artists in residence, Scottish Ensemble in the Great Steward’s Dining Room.

Our Sunday finale is proving to be a popular and pleasant day out, where our audiences promenade from one beautiful space to another, hearing music that is always fascinating and surprising, played by some of our great musicians. Dumfries House is a stunning estate and 18th-Century house and is a wonderful setting for a feast of music.

Once again there is a varied menu of different kinds of music on our last day. Guitar, brass and strings cover a wide range of aural options, presenting music from the Baroque to the present day. Come and join us as the 2017 Tryst comes to a close.
Sir James MacMillan

Approx running time 90 mins, no interval.
The 7.30pm performance is followed by post-concert champagne reception.
Supported by Cumnock and Doon Valley Minerals Trust.

*Local residents discount applies to bookers from Cumnock and Doon Valley – Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Bellsbank, Catrine, Coylton, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Drongan, Hollybush, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Patna, Rankinston, Smallburn, Sorn, Tarbolton and Waterside with the following postcodes: KA5 5… / KA5 6… / KA6 6… / KA6 7… / KA18 1… / KA18 2… / KA18 3… / KA18 4…