String Sisters blends Nordic and Celtic traditions into a glorious riot of all-encompassing sound. With band members from Shetland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland and the United States, this is an internationally-appealing combo with an incredible pedigree.
The band was founded at Celtic Connections in 2001 by Shetland fiddler Catriona Macdonald. The line-up also includes Irish fiddle legend Liz Carroll and classically-trained Liz Knowles from the United States, Donegal fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Emma Härdelin from Sweden, and Hardanger fiddler Annbjørg Lien from Norway. The band is completed by leading Scottish jazz pianist Dave Milligan, Tore Bruvoll from Norway on guitar, Conrad Molleson on bass and James Mackintosh (Shooglenifty) on drums.
Presented by The Queen’s Hall and The Soundhouse Organisation
This event has finished, but you can read more about folk music at The Queen's Hall and across Edinburgh here and find out about upcoming folk shows at The Queen’s Hall here.
(Living Tradition)“The quality of the music is wonderful and sensually ravishing”
Liz Knowles wonders if String Sisters can bring folk music to a classical audience
Back in January we performed at Sage Gateshead, a fantastic venue in the north east of England that is dedicated to all kinds of music. Fans of more than one style mingle before shows in the bars and balconies. On the night of our gig the venue was buzzing with a large throng of music lovers as it was also hosting a classical performance by the Royal Northern Sinfonia. We were struck by how many members of the Sinfonia’s audience came to our merch stand and explained that they were not folk fans but that they were intrigued by our sound.
As a classically-trained musician it got me thinking … is our brand of folk music really so different to what the 21st Century classical music fan is listening to?...
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String Sisters