For their second tour of 2018, Scottish Ensemble - the UK’s leading string orchestra - will welcome stars of the Scottish trad music scene, fiddle & harp duo Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, on stage for an evening of celtic and classical fusion.

It follows the pair’s roaring success at the recent Celtic Connections festival. The tour, called Court and Country, and calling at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on Wednesday 14 March. From the refined rhythms of Bach’s elegant courts, to the rustic rhythms collected by Bartók and a new composition by Stout and McKay, the programme is propelled forwards by an irresistible rhythmic drive, uniting music written across centuries and locations.

Scottish Ensemble will explore three pieces for strings from the core classical repertoire, bringing their trademark dynamic playing style and fresh perspectives to these well-known notes. As well as two of Bach’s most well-loved works, his Brandenburg Concerto No.3 and his Violin Concerto in E major, with Artistic Director Jonathan Morton as soloist, SE will perform Bartók’s gutsy, colourful Divertimento for Strings.

SE are also excited to be joined by Stout and McKay - the award-winning duo of trailblazing Scottish harpist Catriona McKay and Shetland fiddler Chris Stout – for three pieces.

For more details, go to beaconartscentre.co.uk