A new production with music by a Glasgow clarsach group is aiming to bridge the gap between classical music and Gaelic culture, creating Scotland’s answer to Swan Lake.
The Swan of Salen from The Willow Trio weaves a narrative based on the tragedy of Tchaikovsky’s iconic play, Swan Lake, and of the parallel Gaelic legend, Eala Shàilein.
With an aim of bridging the gap between classical and traditional culture and music, The Willow Trio have produced a modern and unique retelling of the well-known ballet, marrying sections of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score with delicate Gaelic melodies.
The group’s beautiful debut album forms the musical backdrop to the cultural project of the same name created by The Willow Trio and production company Ballet Folk.
Set to tour across Scotland, the The Swan of Salen features a unique blend of Tchaikovsky’s iconic music and traditional melodies played live by the group.
Footage of ballet dancers performing choreography by Deborah Norris of Ballet Folk will be projected behind the musicians as they perform, transporting audiences to another time and place.
The Swan of Salen Project is a multimedia adaptation of Swan Lake, taking Gaelic and traditional influences from stories and songs from the Loch Sunart area.
The Willow Trio comprises three multi-award winning female harpists, Romy Wymer, Sophie Rocks and Sam MacAdam, who are celebrated for their skilled compositions of both classical and traditional music.
Sophie Rocks of The Willow Trio said: “The tale of The Swan of Salen is one of love, loss and heartache. It’s a beautiful story, and we wanted to make it accessible to everyone, particularly to those in communities who would not usually have easy access to ballet or live music.
“By choosing the Gaelic story as our setting, and adapting the music of Tchaikovsky to fit within Scottish and folk traditions, we hope to remove some of the cultural and personal barriers that may stand in the way of people pursuing or simply enjoying performances of ballet and folk music alike.
“By presenting the cultures of ballet and Gaelic Scotland as equal within The Swan of Salen, we hope to highlight the beauty of each, and shine a light on the value of both traditional and classical music, dance and storytelling in Scotland.”
Having released their debut EP Oystercatchers in 2021, The Willow Trio have performed at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sofar Sounds and Celtic Connections on the Danny Kyle Stage. The trio have also been featured on Talking Harps, Opening the Harp Chakra, Northern Soul, Local Heroes and BBC Scotland.
The Swan of Salen will be available to stream and download on all digital platforms from Friday 17 February 2023.
For more information visit www.thewillowtrio.co.uk.
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