PIANIST Joanna MacGregor will take centre stage this month in Thurso.
Thought of as one of the world’s most innovative musicians and committed to expressing musical connections across increasingly diverse and original programming, MacGregor was appointed head of piano at the Royal Academy of Music in 2011 and is also the artistic director of Bath International Music Festival.
She enjoys a close artistic partnership as conductor with Britten Sinfonia, in programmes ranging from classical music to new collaborations with jazz and world musicians. Her performance for Thurso Live Music Association promises to be one of the highlights in its present season.
During the first half of her recital in Thurso High School on March 5 she will play Lost Highway, her own arrangements of gospel and blues pieces inspired by trips to the Mississippi Delta.
She will continue with her exciting arrangements of Six Tangos by the Argentinian composer Piazzolla.
The entire second half of the programme will be devoted to The Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach.
The beginning, Aria in G major, is described by MacGregor as in a kind and benevolent key, the variations being sunny and warm and humorous.
Gradually the variations grow complex, dark and tragic, but holding tightly on to the thread they return to the singing aria once more.
