Swinging, toe-tapping and festive tour of jazz piano alongside jazz improv after Christmas carols and films by our award-winning pianist
Following their 5★★★★★ and sold-out show in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,
"Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert, relating amusing, enlightening stories to introduce each piece; his eloquent performance expresses a dramatic, emotional mood from sad and sorrowful to light-hearted and lyrical, oozing a joyful sense of romantic love." (5★★★★★ Edinburgh Guide)
"A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts." (5★★★★★ Binge Fringe Magazine)
Moonlight Concert Productions have imagined a Christmas show inspired the first Christmas films ever made, New York jazz piano improv, and our great British tradition of Christmas carolling.
Tonight’s musical programme includes the most iconic jazz pieces ever composed: Joplin’s rags The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, Gershwin’s showstoppers Summertime and Rhapsody in Blue alongside jazz improv upon favourite Christmas carols – by intimate candlelight and alongside a digital art exhibition designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – inspired by silent Christmas films such as the original A Christmas Carol (1910) and Santa Claus (1898) - the oldest Christmas movie ever made!
Tonight, we create an immersive Christmas experience which cannot fail to cure the 'winter blues' and have you clapping along!
Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the interval. Merry Christmas!
PROGRAMME
I Got Rythym, The Man I Love, Swanee and Strike up the Band (from his Songbook) – George Gershwin
Summertime (from Porgy and Bess, arranged for piano) – George Gershwin
The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, Spotlight Rag, Paragon Rag and Stoptime Rag (from his complete Rags) – Scott Joplin
Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin
and Jazz improv after Christmas carols including: Good King Wenceslas, O come all ye faithful, Silent Night and more
Tonight's artist: Matthew Shiel
'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.