I recently premiered my New Voices commission, entitled ‘The River’ at Glasgow’s brilliant Celtic Connections festival, while simultaneously launching a studio album of the music on the day. If you wish to order the CD you can do so from me directly here (no middle man)!
What is the ‘The River’ all about? Well, growing up next to the Spey, I spent many hours of youth practicing to the roar of the river in the background, so it’s always been there in my music. ‘The River’ brings to the surface vivid sonic images of occurrences, past and present, along the mile-long stretch of the Spey that flows past my childhood home. One of my brother’s fishes it, the other canoes it, my Uncle Sandy photographed it, my mother paints it, and there’s my Father’s daily fascination with its erratically changing water level. It will always symbolize home and a strong connection to nature. No mortal’s relationship with the river can ever be truly harmonious, its ever-changing micro-climate, mysteriously dark depths and unrelenting power are both merciless and enchanting.
“Excellent flautist/whistle player…” The Guardian
“…one of Scotland’s busiest and most multi-faceted folk musicians…a beautifully eloquent singer…” Sunday Herald
“Napier is one of the finest musicians in Scotland….his music is invigorating, passionate and steeped in tradition.” TMSA
“…ingenuity for harmony.” The Skinny
“Deeply Soulful…intensely alive…” The Scotsman
“Top-class musician” The Herald
I am Hamish. My job is playing piano, keyboards, flutes, whistles and singing. I grew up in Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands, I moved down to Glasgow to immerse myself in its famously vibrant music scene, as I studyied Physics and Music at universities there. I was also awarded a scholarship to study for a year at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, USA. I teach composition, music theory and wooden flute at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and at music schools and festivals worldwide. I also toured in Europe and North America with award-winning Scottish folk quartet Back of the Moon.
A finalist in the BBC Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year, I was also nominated for Best Up and Coming Artist at the Scots Trad Awards. I’ve recorded or performed with leading Scottish musicians such as: Donald Shaw, Martyn Bennett, Duncan Chisholm, Treacherous Orchestra, Battlefield Band and Eddi Reader and have collaborated with many of the UK’s finest folk musicians for festivals, national TV & radio.
Artist website: http://www.hamishnapier.com
Single title: Whirlpool
Album title: The River
Release Date: 17/01/2016
Single artist: Hamish Napier
Single duration: 45:00
Record Label: Strathspey Records
Catalogue No: SRCD01
Writers: Hamish Napier
Publishers: MCPS/PRS
Explicit?: No
Search Terms: piano, flute, contemporary
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