Happy Birthday Robert Burns!

…A Month Belated

Portrait of Robert Burns by  Alexander Nasmyth, 1787, Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

I mean…we could have had our Celtic concert during his actual birthday week, but I’m afraid that would have interfered with the famous and fabulous Burns Night celebrations that some of you have, and that just wouldn’t do. We decided that giving you almost a whole month to recover from your haggis and Scotch whisky was the considerate and compassionate thing to do so that you could enjoy our concerts better without that pounding ache in the space between your ears. [Extra points: What movie is that phrase from? Hint: It has nothing to do with Scottish Ballads or Irish dances. That I recall, at least.]

At any rate, Burns contributed a lot of poems to this concert, either in whole or by doing some minor (sometimes major) editing of pre-existing poems. Speaking of Scottish poems, do you know the correct pronunciation of the word ‘poem’ in Scotland? It’s a keeper!

Speaking of keepers, TEMP’s Celtic concerts date back to my UT EME days and we’ve been doing a couple of these Scottish ballads since then. But you can read more about TEMP’s history with the ballads in the concert blurb below. I need to go find some pain relievers because I’ve got an empathy headache just thinking about you folks recovering from Burns Night.

See you at the concert, I hope!
—Danny

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Celtic Memories

Saturday, February 22, 2025, at  7:30 pm
&
Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3:00 pm
Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2111 Alexander Avenue

Hosted by Arts on Alexander on the campus of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 
2111 Alexander Ave, Austin, TX 78722.
Visit the Arts on Alexander 2024-2025 events on the AoA website.

Admission $35 general; $30 seniors (60+); $5 students with ID
Tickets available in advance online or by cash, check, or credit card at the door.

For more information, email boxoffice@early-music.org.

Scottish ballads from the 18th century have been a part of TEMP’s core repertoire for decades. With roots dating back to performances with the UT Early Music Ensemble in the mid-90s, TEMP presented Celtic concerts focused mostly on Scottish ballads in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2019, and 2022 and they were the subject of our only ‘studio’ recording, The Bonny Broom and Other Scottish Ballads, from 1999.

With musical sources dating from the 16th–18th centuries featuring poems by Robert Burns and a few other poets, both known and unknown, the concert will give wonderful insight into the culture that created this very popular and accessible music. Even the English held Scottish ballads in high esteem and our own Benjamin Franklin adored these songs and considered them the height of great art. Scottish ballads are renowned for their evocative, heartfelt, and humorous aspects, but also for their beautiful and expressive melodies.

Some of the songs provide a glimpse into historical or cultural events, such as The Bonny Earle of Murray and There’ll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. Others create immediately visceral emotions with strong connections to the land (The Birks of Invermay) and strong connections to the human condition (The Winter of Life). And there are plenty of love songs to go around, including Etrick Banks, And I’ll kiss thee yet, yet, and Ae Fond Kiss! There will also be stirring reels and other dance pieces from Ireland and Scotland as well, such as old favorites Muileann Dubh, The Reel of Tulloch, and more.

Click on the CD images below to listen to audio teasers!

TEMP’s singers for this concert are Jenifer Thyssen, Cayla Cardiff, Jenny Houghton, Page Stephens, Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, Ryland Angel, Holt Skinner, and Joel Nesvadba. Harpist Therese Honey will perform a solo or two and will be joined by TEMP core players Marcus McGuff (flute), Bruce Colson (violin), John Walters (mandolin), Héctor Torres (lutes and guitar), Carolyn Hagler (cello), and kantele player Viktoria Nizhnik from Karelia! Hey, people traveled a lot back in those days, too.

Music for the heart and soul and feet (dancing in your seats)
BYO haggis.

TEMP 2024-2025 Season: Reconnections

Awww, I forgot to mention Robert Burns's Birthday

Portrait of Robert Burns by Alexander Nasmyth, 1787, Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

So, I don’t know about you, but when I think about a ceilidh, I think of a gathering, usually informal, with fun, often-times impressively good music from Ireland and/or Scotland [and/or other places, I guess, but that’s for a different blog.]

And since I’m thinking of a fun time with dance and music and Ireland and/or Scotland, then I’m likely to be thinking of something to drink, which means Guinness (or some other dark stout. And if it’s a day that ends in ‘y’, then it’s probably pumpkin stout that I’m thinking about. But that’s for later.)

But then if I think of a stout in Ireland or Scotland, I’m likely to start thinking about jovial pubs I’ve been to and enjoyed, and how that helps to complete the picture.

But then when I’m thinking of pubs, I can’t help but think of pubs from some movies and how they seem like fun—but then suddenly, they don’t seem like fun at all, like when everyone tells you that you should leave, you don’t have time for a Guinness, and they don’t have room for you. But at least they take the time to give you helpful warnings like “Go! Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors. Beware the moon, lads!” and other things that might not immediately make sense.

Hmmm. Where was I? Oh, right! So our upcoming Celtic Crossings concert isn’t exactly a ceilidh, but there will be songs and dances from Scotland and Ireland, but there won’t be any stout, Guinness or otherwise. And though some of the dances and songs might be sort of casual, like one might find in a pub, we won’t be advising you to “Keep clear of the moors and beware the moon,” since there won’t be a full moon that weekend; so the chance of a werewolf sighting is low.

See you at the concert. BYO Haggis, but no food is allowed in the sanctuary!
-Danny
P.S. Rabbie Burns’s birthday is January 25!

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Celtic Crossings

Saturday, February 12, 2022, at  7:30 pm
&
Sunday, February 13, 2021, at 3:00 pm
Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2111 Alexander Avenue

Admission $30 general; $25 seniors (60+); $5 students (at the door only)
Tickets available in advance online or by cash, check, or credit card at the door.

For more information, call 512-377-6961 and leave a message,
or email info@early-music.org.

Scottish ballads from the 18th century have been a part of TEMP’s core repertoire since the late 90s. With musical sources dating from the 16th–18th centuries featuring poems by Robert Burns and an exciting roster of other poets, the concert will give wonderful insight into the people who created this very popular and accessible music.

Even the English held Scottish ballads in high esteem and our own Benjamin Franklin adored these songs and considered them the height of great art. (We are performing one of his favorites!) Scottish ballads are renowned for their evocative, heartfelt, and humorous aspects, but also for their beautiful and expressive melodies.

Some of the songs provide a glimpse into historical or cultural events (Frennet Hall), while others create immediate visceral emotions with strong connections to the land (The Banks of the Devon). And there are plenty of love songs to go around! There will be some stirring dance pieces from Ireland and Scotland as well.

Click on the CD images below to listen to audio teasers!

TEMP’s soloists for this concertare Jenifer Thyssen, Cayla Cardiff, Jenny Houghton, Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, David Lopez, and Tim O’Brien, as well as frequent guest artist, Ryland Angel. Harpist Therese Honey will perform a solo or two and will be joined by TEMP core players Marcus McGuff (flute), Bruce Colson (violin), John Walters (mandolin), Héctor Torres (lutes and guitar), Carolyn Hagler (cello), and will feature kantele player Viktoria Nizhnik from Karelia! Hey, people traveled back in those days, too.

Come enjoy these enchanting pieces with musical links to another time and place that still lives! 
BYO haggis.

Hosted by Arts on Alexander on the campus of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2111 Alexander Ave,
Austin, TX 78722

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COVID PROTOCOLS

TEMP will be adhering to all State and City regulations, as well as guidelines from the CDC concerning masking and social distancing, as well as the requirements of our venue. We urge you to buy your tickets in advance, as the audience size will be limited so that the audience can be safely distanced. The audience is strongly requested to be masked at all times; we will have masks available for your use as well. Please feel welcome to contact us with questions or concerns.

Join us as we are gaderen: gathering again!

Click on the image above to buy tickets now!

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