Before the Wolf
SAT 5 MAY: 4-5pm & SUN 6 MAY: 9.45pm
SCOTTISH PREMIERE
A mysterious Svengali figure searches tirelessly for his dream to create the perfect orchestra ensemble, La Banda Europa.
Big in Falkirk is proud to present the Scottish Premiere of Before the Wolf – a unique collaboration creating the new 'sound of Europe'.
World-class musicians from throughout Europe will join together to form a unique orchestra under the name La Banda Europa. Playing instruments from their respective countries which are not typically heard together - hurdy gurdies from France, cornetas from Spain and of course, bagpipes from Scotland, they will perform a new, specially composed score from Creative Scotland Award winner Jim Sutherland, who wrote the music for the BAFTA Award-winning film, Festival. Under the performance direction of Hilary Westlake who worked on the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the orchestra will be joined by a choir and snare drummers.
On Saturday at 4pm, The Gathering of musicians will perform in ten different locations throughout Callendar Park playing and celebrating traditional music from their individual countries. On Sunday, the Grand Parade will continue at 9.45pm, when the orchestra manager exhibits his musical discoveries to the public. This will unfold at a stunning lakeside stage where they will play Jim Sutherland's composition.
Musicians taking part in the performance include Pascal Lefeuvre thought to be the best hurdy gurdy player in the world, trombonist John Kenny ranked in the World top 10 by The Observer, Ditte Anderson the foremost player and authority on the Nyckelharpa and bass clarinetist Dick Lea, a multi award winning composer and a past Creative Scotland Award winner.
Following on from the Before the Wolf finale performance there will be a firework display to mark the end of Big in Falkirk 2007.
Before the Wolf has been commissioned by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative with additonal funding from the Scottish Arts Council (Creative Scotland Award), Insitu Network, Lieuxpublics Marseilles and La Strada Festival Graz.
