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Celtic Connections has long been a vital conduit for dialogue between Scotland’s folk and classical communities, so it’s only fitting that Jim Sutherland’s True North Orchestra should open the 2010 festival. A groundbreaking hand-picked ensemble comprising roughly 50:50 folk musicians au fait with classical disciplines, and orchestral players similarly versed in traditional music, it was originally created for the epic Homecoming 2009 pageant Aisling’s Children. Jim, working together with conductor Greg Lawson, put together the Orchestra from the ground up. With much discussion and drawing upon their collective knowledge of the Scottish music scene they invited some fantastic musicians from the worlds of folk, classical and jazz to form this unique hybrid.

Now launching as an ongoing project, the fifty strong line-up includes fiddlers Aidan O’Rourke, Chris Stout, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Lauren MacColl; pipers Fraser Fifield, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton; harpist Catriona McKay, trumpeter Ryan Quigley and trombonist John Kenny.

They’ll perform excerpts from Aisling’s Children as well as a premiere of the specially commissioned Shochet Storm; the title of which celebrates the Caithness expression for the fierce storms that arrive in April, when the shochets (lapwings) are sitting on their nests.

Alongside this will be new pieces inspired by strathspey rhythms and Gaelic psalm singing, interspersed with short taster performances by artists appearing later in the festival, including Maura O’Connell, Kathleen MacInnes, Carlos Núñez, Lau and their big band, and The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Fiddler Chris Stout will also give a flavour of his Brazilian Theory with special guests in town for his gig.

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