Twenty Years of Music: A Retrospective Concert at the Edinburgh International Festival
I’m delighted to share that this August, I’ll be presenting a special retrospective concert as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, marking twenty years of my work as a composer.
The Hub, Edinburgh — Monday 24 August 2026, 8.00pm
The programme will look back across two decades of composition, drawing together pieces that trace my ongoing exploration of Gaelic language, Scottish traditional music, and the stories and landscapes that have shaped my writing. It’s a rare chance to hear this body of work brought together in one concert.
This celebration of my work features virtuoso fiddler Patsy Reid and award-winning clarsach player Ciorstaidh Beaton, alongside a stellar line-up: Alice Allen, Seonaidh Aitken, Kristan Harvey, Mairi MacMillan, Graham Mackenzie, Dave Milligan, Eryn Rae, Jack Smedley, Adam Sutherland, and Laura Wilkie — with several pieces performed by the Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra.
We’ll also be celebrating Patsy’s new album, I Am Disposed to Mirth, which features a number of my fiddle compositions and reflects our long-standing musical collaboration.
As part of the evening, I’m especially excited to share the world premiere of a new clarsach concerto, Itealaich an Dòchais, performed by the wonderful Ciorstaidh Beaton.
Programme for the evening
- Deil Amang The Fiddlers — performed by Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra
- Earl of Louden’s Strathspey — fiddle/cello duet performed by Patsy Reid and Alice Allen
- An Useag (The Skylark) — clarsach solo, Ciorstaidh Beaton
- A’ cheud luan do’n raidh (The First Monday of the Season) — fiddle duet, Patsy Reid and Jack Smedley
- Traditional Gaelic Psalm — sung by Mairi MacMillan
- Itealaich an Dòchais — Clarsach Concerto, performed by Ciorstaidh Beaton and V3rsus String Quartet
- Cluny Castle — performed by Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra
- Bloobell Polka — performed by Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra
I hope you can join me for what promises to be a very special night. Tickets are available here https://www.eif.co.uk/events/simon-thoumire-scots-fiddle-clarsach#overview