The stage is set for some of the biggest names in classical music to light up Cumnock this weekend.
The annual Tryst festival in the town will stage performances from the likes of Sir James MacMillan and Nicola Benedetti, as well as top groups such as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s New Music Ensemble.
And as well as celebrating pieces by some of the world’s most famous composers, this year’s festival will also toast the rich heritage of the area.
On Thursday night, artists in residence Headspace and Pandora’s Box open the weekend worth of top performances at Cumnock Town Hall.
As well as the two ensembles, centred around trombonist John Kenny, the opening show will also feature two performances of a specially commissioned work.
Ayrshire musician Scott Lygate produced The Barony A Frame specially for the festival, drawing inspiration from the monumental structure linking to East Ayrshire’s proud mining past.
Festival organiser Sir James said: “John Kenny is the lynchpin here in these two wonderful ensembles - Pandora’s Box, a quartet of virtuoso trombonists, and Headspace, which mixes brass with electronics.
“A special computer-based instrument has been created for Clarence Adoo, a trumpeter who was paralysed in a road accident.
“He plays alongside colleagues again in this amazing collection of experiment and tradition.”
On Saturday night, another Ayrshire performer will take to the stage as celebrated violinist Nicola Benedetti joins cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk.
They will perform pieces by Ravel, Turnage and Brahms in the atmospheric setting of the Trinity Church in the town.
And on Sunday, the festival will come to a spectacular close with a selection of performances in the regal surroundings of Dumfries House, just outside the town.
The estate – rescued by Prince Charles and restored to beautiful condition – will host “incredible” performances including Scott Lygate’s contrabass clarinet and contemporary music played on Renaissance instruments by Pandora’s Box as well as a world premiere of new music by Sir James MacMillan.
Sir James said: “Our chamber music performances at Dumfries House have become very popular.
“I have written a new short piece for the contrabass clarinet, and we will be joined by players from the Auchinleck and Cumnock Concert Band who will perform my Company of Heaven with the carnyx maestro John Kenny.
“His wonderful trombone players bring the Tryst to a close.”
The Cumnock Tryst takes place in and around Cumnock, East Ayrshire from Thursday, September 30 until Sunday, October 2.
For more information, including dates, times and tickets, visit www.thecumnocktryst.com
