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PICTURES MOD 2021: Black Isle composer Lauren MacColl says Eden Court in Inverness was the perfect location for the premiere of An Ear/East as part of the Royal National Mod in the Highland capital


By Louise Glen

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Lauren MacColl performing her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.
Lauren MacColl performing her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.

Black Isle fiddle player and composer Lauren MacColl hit all the right notes with her latest composition An Ear/East.

The piece that was aired for the first time at the Royal National Mod last night, used music, song and film to explore the landscape and fabric of the Moray Firth.

Picture shows Emma MacLeod singing on stage during a performance of East - Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.
Picture shows Emma MacLeod singing on stage during a performance of East - Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.

Ms MacColl is considered one of Scotland’s most expressive fiddle players. Her performances are emotive, engaging and informed by an equal helping of tradition and technique.

Speaking after the show, she said: "I was delighted to be commissioned by the National Mod to write new music.

‘An Ear / East is inspired by many stories of coastal happenings around the Moray Firth.

Picture shows Ali Levack on stage during a performance of East - Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.
Picture shows Ali Levack on stage during a performance of East - Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.

"It was special to premiere the new work in Eden Court, a place that’s always been a part of my life, and amazing to collaborate with my fellow musicians and filmmaker Zoe MacInnes after a long period of remote or postponed work.

"I hope we have the chance to perform the piece again and I plan to record it next spring.”

Picture shows Rachel Newton as Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.
Picture shows Rachel Newton as Lauren MacColl presented her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’ at The Royal National Mòd at Eden Court in Inverness 12/10/21. The local fiddler and composer performed a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and was joined by fellow musicians Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod and Ali Levack playing pipes. The concert also featured exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.

READ: INVERNESS MOD 2021: Prestigious appointment of the 'Bard' of An Comunn Gàidhealach announced as celebrated Highlands-based Gaelic poet Rody Gorman who lives on the Isle of Skye


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