Friday Night was a Mackintosh Music Night

We have been on a crest of a wave today with our 40th Anniversary Celebrations.

The day started with the wonderful Karen Bryce creating a beautiful lighting display inside the Mackintosh Church.

During the day it was a pleasure listening to each of the wonderful performers rehearse their repertoire for the evening. Concert pianist Elaine Gould played Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.

I captured this shot of Robert Sutherland during the rehearsals as he performed with the Scottish Tenor Paul Keohone. The highlight for me was their beautiful interpretation of the Robert Burns classic, Ae Fond Kiss. It was such an experience to hear the master and his pupil perform together for the first time.

Robert Sutherland was born in Glasgow in 1930 and began his music studies there at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. Later scholarships took him to the Royal College of Music in London where, already as a student, he made a name for himself as an accompanist and chamber music pianist.

Sutherland has worked with many distinguished singers and instrumentalists including Shirley Verrett (Edinburgh Festival), Sir Geraint Evans, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras and Kiri Te kenawa. In 1973 he was invited by Maria Callas to be her accompanist in the world wide concerts which proved to be her farewell tour.

In 1999, Robert was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music and this is Robert’s first public performance in two decades.

The Mackintosh Church looked splendid this evening and to listen to such musical talent in such intimate conditions is a delight to any music connoisseur. The evening event was such a beautiful occasion, hosted by the wonderful Judith Ralston, and we finished with a celebratory drinks and canapés reception provided by the House for an Art Lover.

Just home, exhausted, after a fabulous and successful evening.