Making landfall this August – the world’s most dangerous quintet is coming to Arran!
ZRI - short for Zum Roten Igel, or The Red Hedgehog Tavern - is a genre-defying chamber ensemble like no other. Named after the legendary Viennese tavern where Brahms and Schubert once soaked up the vibrant energy of gypsy music, ZRI reimagines classical repertoire through the thrilling lens of folk traditions.
With a line-up of clarinet (Ben Harlan), violin (Max Baillie), cello (Matthew Sharp), accordion (Jon Banks) and santouri (Iris Pissaride), they blend world-class musicianship with joyful theatrical energy, improvisation and a fearless spirit of musical fusion. Authentic, dynamic, and full of heart, their performances are simply outstanding.
“The ZRI quintet demonstrated miraculous, joyfully versatile musicianship, zipping nimbly between styles so that you’d often end up somewhere new without even noticing”, The Scotsman
ZRI’s Cellar Sessions re-creates the atmosphere of the Red Hedgehog Tavern in Vienna from which the band takes its name. Prepare to laugh, dance, holler, and maybe even shed a tear with this mixed program which spans Bach to Donna Summer!
Part of Arran International Festival