Queen Elizabeth II first heard Paul Anderson play his fiddle in the small church at Crathie, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. That’s when she invited him to play for her at Balmoral Castle. Paul Anderson went on to do that regularly, providing traditional Scottish fiddle music that the late Queen enjoyed dancing to well into her 90s.
This world-renowned fiddle player will be giving a concert right here on our doorstep – in the intimate setting of St. Martin’s Chapel, Blackwood – on Monday 15th May.
Anderson is one of Scotland’s most acclaimed musicians and composers. In addition to playing for Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and all senior members of the British Royal Family, he has performed for NATO, for the Scottish Government, and for various Heads of State. He also performed for Sir Sean Connery’s 80th birthday event at Edinburgh Castle.
Anderson is part of a musical lineage that goes directly back to Niel Gow, the “father of Scottish fiddle music”. He has composed over 700 traditional tunes as well as a symphony inspired by the people, landscape and history of the Scottish Highlands. He was also a musical advisor for the recent film adaptations of Sunset Song and Whisky Galore (in which he made a cameo appearance!)
Anderson’s service and contribution to traditional music has been recognised through numerous accolades: he is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Aberdeen, and in 2021 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Robert Gordon’s University and an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. In 2012, Anderson was an Olympic flame bearer as part of the London Olympic torch relay. Portraits of Paul Anderson hang both in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and in Aberdeen Art Gallery. He appears regularly on TV and radio, and is already an icon in Scotland.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this exceptional musician perform in Blackwood next month.
Date: Monday, May 15, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Venue: St Martin’s Chapel, Blackwood
Tickets: $20 adult; 15 concession
Booking: tickets through trybooking.
