ALMOST UNSEEN
Artisan Ensemble celebrate the works of composer Suzanne Parry through the release of a
new album and three Scottish tour dates.
Artisan Ensemble celebrate the works of composer Suzanne Parry through the release of a
new album and three Scottish tour dates.
Concert Dates:
Thursday September 21st, Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh, 7pm
Friday September 22nd, Old Parish Church, Kelso, 7pm
Saturday September 23rd, Mackintosh Queen's Cross, Glasgow, 7pm
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/artisan-with-hannah-rarity-album-launch-2367589
PRESS RELEASE
Chamber group Artisan Ensemble have announced three Scottish concerts to launch their new album ‘Almost Unseen’, a celebration of the works of renowned composer Suzanne Parry. Alongside clarinettist William Stafford, pianist Alexander Taylor, and vocalist Hannah Rarity, the duo will perform songs and instrumental works from the album across three shows this September in Edinburgh, Kelso, and Glasgow. Founded in 2009 by cellist Clea Friend and violinist Aisling O’Dea, Artisan have consistently brought new and exciting work to the forefront of Scottish chamber music by supporting and promoting living composers and their work. Since their inception they have commissioned more than ten new works, performing them alongside more well-known chamber music repertoire. Most notably, in 2013 (supported by Creative Scotland), Artisan commissioned pieces from five international women composers for their concert series, ‘Pendulum’, which was critically acclaimed. Suzanne Parry composed “Haul Away from Heaven” for this series, one of many collaborations that has taken place between these musicians.
“I had said to Clea years ago, if we were to ever make a CD recording I'd love to record Suzie's music and get it out there in the public eye. She’s such a beautiful composer and folk need to hear her works." Aisling O’Dea
Suzanne Parry is a renowned composer and chamber musician whose unique musical language has been widely acknowledged as accessible yet distinctive. Her musical voice has been developed not only through her work in classical and traditional music, but also by her exploration of poetry and fine art, and her ability to draw on visual and oral stimuli for inspiration. Parry also draws from her surroundings, leading to influences from the culture and history of both Cornwall where she grew up, and Edinburgh where she has lived since 2006, being present
within her extensive body of work.
“It’s a real joy to be able to celebrate the music of a wonderful composer who is also a friend. Post pandemic, it was magical to have the opportunity to come together after so long and play chamber music, it was so needed for both musicians and audience. This album comes at the right time for so many reasons, when the world needs comfort through melody and connection through music with a profound relationship to time and place. Sometimes modern music can be divisive and challenging but I find Suzie’s music has a unifying and timeless quality, it’s a pleasure
to play.” Clea Friend
During the pandemic, both Parry and Artisan were forced to rethink or develop their careers, to reimagine how they could sustain their musical lives, and generate a more reliable income. Clea trained as a yoga teacher and studied counselling, Aisling has been developing her skill as animateur and presenter of musical workshops, and storytelling for children, and Parry retrained as a Mental health nurse at the University of Stirling, from which she will graduate this year. Parry has taken a post working with people with advanced dementia, and intends to develop her clinical practice in a way that integrates music into the management of stress and distress. This journey of upheaval and change, of joy and struggle, of life, is at the core of Almost Unseen. Across thirteen tracks, the album carries the listener through Parry’s evolution as a composer, giving a rare insight into how female creativity is shaped
through challenging circumstances and the support of strong friendships, demonstrating the key role that symbiotic partnerships have in sustaining the creative spirit through difficult times. Opening with pieces Parry created as a young musician, and closing with works she has written as a forty year old mother of two, the album's trajectory follows the ups and downs of a woman’s life ever changing. Artisan have invited clarinettist William Stafford, pianist Alexander Taylor, and vocalist Hannah Rarity to join them in bringing Parry’s unique musical language to
live audiences, and they will accompany the duo on their upcoming ‘whistle-stop’ tour of Scotland this September.
Thursday September 21st, Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh, 7pm
Friday September 22nd, Old Parish Church, Kelso, 7pm
Saturday September 23rd, Mackintosh Queen's Cross, Glasgow, 7pm
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/artisan-with-hannah-rarity-album-launch-2367589
PRESS RELEASE
Chamber group Artisan Ensemble have announced three Scottish concerts to launch their new album ‘Almost Unseen’, a celebration of the works of renowned composer Suzanne Parry. Alongside clarinettist William Stafford, pianist Alexander Taylor, and vocalist Hannah Rarity, the duo will perform songs and instrumental works from the album across three shows this September in Edinburgh, Kelso, and Glasgow. Founded in 2009 by cellist Clea Friend and violinist Aisling O’Dea, Artisan have consistently brought new and exciting work to the forefront of Scottish chamber music by supporting and promoting living composers and their work. Since their inception they have commissioned more than ten new works, performing them alongside more well-known chamber music repertoire. Most notably, in 2013 (supported by Creative Scotland), Artisan commissioned pieces from five international women composers for their concert series, ‘Pendulum’, which was critically acclaimed. Suzanne Parry composed “Haul Away from Heaven” for this series, one of many collaborations that has taken place between these musicians.
“I had said to Clea years ago, if we were to ever make a CD recording I'd love to record Suzie's music and get it out there in the public eye. She’s such a beautiful composer and folk need to hear her works." Aisling O’Dea
Suzanne Parry is a renowned composer and chamber musician whose unique musical language has been widely acknowledged as accessible yet distinctive. Her musical voice has been developed not only through her work in classical and traditional music, but also by her exploration of poetry and fine art, and her ability to draw on visual and oral stimuli for inspiration. Parry also draws from her surroundings, leading to influences from the culture and history of both Cornwall where she grew up, and Edinburgh where she has lived since 2006, being present
within her extensive body of work.
“It’s a real joy to be able to celebrate the music of a wonderful composer who is also a friend. Post pandemic, it was magical to have the opportunity to come together after so long and play chamber music, it was so needed for both musicians and audience. This album comes at the right time for so many reasons, when the world needs comfort through melody and connection through music with a profound relationship to time and place. Sometimes modern music can be divisive and challenging but I find Suzie’s music has a unifying and timeless quality, it’s a pleasure
to play.” Clea Friend
During the pandemic, both Parry and Artisan were forced to rethink or develop their careers, to reimagine how they could sustain their musical lives, and generate a more reliable income. Clea trained as a yoga teacher and studied counselling, Aisling has been developing her skill as animateur and presenter of musical workshops, and storytelling for children, and Parry retrained as a Mental health nurse at the University of Stirling, from which she will graduate this year. Parry has taken a post working with people with advanced dementia, and intends to develop her clinical practice in a way that integrates music into the management of stress and distress. This journey of upheaval and change, of joy and struggle, of life, is at the core of Almost Unseen. Across thirteen tracks, the album carries the listener through Parry’s evolution as a composer, giving a rare insight into how female creativity is shaped
through challenging circumstances and the support of strong friendships, demonstrating the key role that symbiotic partnerships have in sustaining the creative spirit through difficult times. Opening with pieces Parry created as a young musician, and closing with works she has written as a forty year old mother of two, the album's trajectory follows the ups and downs of a woman’s life ever changing. Artisan have invited clarinettist William Stafford, pianist Alexander Taylor, and vocalist Hannah Rarity to join them in bringing Parry’s unique musical language to
live audiences, and they will accompany the duo on their upcoming ‘whistle-stop’ tour of Scotland this September.