This is a concert by the ensemble performing in The Village and The Road. This year, there will be a collaboration with Japanese folk songs.

Date/Performer
Live Scottish Folk Music Performance 1 / Monday, 16 September, 18:00-(National Holiday)
Performed by The Galloway Agreement
Live Scottish Folk Music Performance 2 / Monday, 23 September, 18:00-(National Holiday)
Performed by The Galloway Agreement, KITSU Kaori (min'yō, Japanese folk songs, and shamisen), HIGUCHI Keizan (shakuhachi)
*There will be a talkback after each performance.
*The content of each performance is different.
Running Time
60 minutes (estimated)
Venue
BIRD Theatre [Foyer]
Price
Adults: 1,500 yen
under 18: 500 yen
Preschool-aged children: Free
*Including one drink voucher for use at the Café
About the programme開く

The performance, consisting of violin, harp, the ancient instrument called nyckelharpa, double bass, etc., is absolutely beautiful. The harmony of the tones is profoundly moving. Scottish folk songs like Auld Lang Syne and Comin' Thro' the Rye comfortably resonate with our hearts like Japanese music. That could be because Scottish and Japanese sensibilities are similar in some ways. This time, there will be two concerts: one version of Scottish music only and the other a collaboration with Japanese folk musicians (KITSU Kaori [folk song and shamisen] and HIGUCHI Keizan [shakuhachi]).

Artists' Profile開く

The Galloway Agreement

The Galloway Agreement is a collaboration featuring four renowned traditional musicians; Wendy Stewart (harp, vocals), Ruth Morris (alto and tenor nyckelharpa), Gavin Marwick (fiddle), and Stuart Macpherson (double bass).

These world class musicians are all based in Dumfries and Galloway. They originally came together as invited artists to record on Wendy's album, Folds in the Field. They enjoyed playing together so much that they decided to form this quartet, with quite a different instrumental line-up and choice of material from a more usual string quartet!

Their repertoire is a mixture of original compositions and favourite tunes and songs from Scotland and other European traditions.

KITSU Kaori (min'yō, Japanese folk songs, and shamisen)

*On 23 September only

Born in Yokohama. She studied min'yō folk song under her father, KITSU Chikurei, and shamisen under HONJO Hidetaro from an early age, and has appeared on TV, such as NHK min'yo programmes and Untitled Concert, as well as on stages all over Japan. In addition to being an exclusive min'yo singer for NIPPON COLUMBIA, KITSU Kaori has been engaged in teaching and training, as well as consolatory activities and activities to revive and spread min'yo. She also worked in multiple genres of Japanese and Western music. She was in charge of the music of the 2022 NHK special TV programme, Shin Eizo-Shi Satoyama.

HIGUCHI Keizan (shakuhachi)

*On 23 September only

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a Master's degree in music, specialising in traditional Japanese music. She studied under TANABE Shozan. She passed the Tozanryu Shakuhachi Foundation's Shihan (Master license) Examination of Shakuhachi Music at the top of her class and subsequently qualified to teach as a master. Her title: Dai Shihan (Grandmaster). She studied under KAWAMURA Taizan, the second-generation YAMAMOTO Hozan, and FUJIWARA Dozan at the Tokyo University of the Arts. She won the Shakuhachi Grand Prix at the 55th National Championship of Local Min'yo Folk Song and Dance held at the Nippon Budokan.

Host/Grant開く

Creative Scotland

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

British Council