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An evening exploring the effects of the mysterious, intangible, precious, utterly essential entity we call music through discussion and live performance.

What happens in our brains and bodies when we experience music? Can music connect us to a spiritual realm? Why – and how – does music help us understand ourselves, each other and the world around us?

Pause blends live musical performance with provocations, conversation and debate. As well as guest speakers and SE musicians sharing their perspectives on what music does to us and why, carefully-devised sets of music will create an absorbing listening experience for mind and body – from the riveting, repetitive patterns of Philip Glass, to the mystical intensity of Biber, to the Pulitzer-Prize-winning soundscapes of Caroline Shaw.

Touching on music’s scientific, spiritual and philosophical qualities, Pause will make you stop and think about how and why we listen to music, what it gives to us, and what else we could do with it.

Scottish Ensemble musicians will perform contrasting sets of music curated by SE violinist Daniel Pioro, including works by:

Heinrich Biber (b.1644)
George Frideric Handel (b.1685)
John Cage (b.1912)
Pauline Oliveros (b.1932)
Philip Glass (b.1937)
Caroline Shaw (b.1982)

Scottish Ensemble

Scottish Ensemble is the UK’s leading string orchestra; a group of outstanding musicians championing music for strings. Led by violinist Jonathan Morton, SE crosses genres, styles, musical periods and art forms to create new connections and offer new perspectives, whilst delivering rewarding live performances of the highest quality. Increasingly known for their bold and adventurous collaborations with artists from other fields, SE perform across Scotland, the UK and internationally. 

Find out more at scottishensemble.co.uk

Pause