The Islay Festival has ended less than a week ago and already the island is preparing itself for new festivals, some even whisky related. You probably know that the Islay Cantilena 2011 Festival of classic music will take place from July 3rd - July 8th. This year, for the first time, will see a special connection between the Feis and the Cantilena Festival: "A Music and Whisky Tasting, prelude to Cantilena Music Festival".

The Outback Gallery at Sanaigmore

A special tasting, pairing music and whisky will be hosted by Martine Nouet, a whisky writer and Islay resident. This is a fundraising initiative by the Friends of Cantilena Islay to support the festival. Do you want to know which piece of Scottish Music Fiddle offers the best harmony with Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old or Bruichladdich 16 Year Old Sauternes? Do you want to enjoy the way that Angus Ramsay and Angus Anderson’s music enhance the smoky flavours of Lagavulin Distillers’ Edition or that special bottling of Ardbeg? That sensory experience will give you the answer, whether you are a music-lover or a whisky-lover… or, even better, both! Three people are organising this event, they are Angus Ramsay (Artistic Director), Angus Anderson and Martine Nouet. Let me introduce them here:

Violinist Angus Ramsay studied firstly with the celebrated Leonard Friedman and subsequently with Max Rostal in Bern. He enjoys a career playing both in chamber music, as a soloist and also as a principal player in the Scottish Opera Orchestra. He also teaches both privately and in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Angus Anderson has enjoyed over forty years as a professional violinist. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and held positions in five different orchestras including associate leader of the RSNO and leader of the Scottish Opera Orchestra under Sir Alexander Gibson. The last 11 years of his orchestral life were spent as a member of one of the world’s greatest orchestras, The Philharmonia. He remains extremely active as a teacher, chamber music player and soloist. For over 30 years he has been a member of Cantilena, with whom he toured South America and with whom he recorded Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for Scottish Television. Continue reading....

Martine Nouet is a leading writer on spirits and for six years was the editor of Whisky Magazine, France during which time she was known as La Reine de l'Alambic, “the Queen of the Still". Born in France but now living on Islay, Scotland, she has become a regular contributor to the UK Whisky Magazine. She has written various books on spirits and also cookery. Martine is one of the most sought after experts in her field and hosts whisky tasting events across the globe.

For this wonderful initiative the organisers found a beautiful location, Petra Pearce's Outback gallery at Sanaigmore. Petra Pearce’s Outback Art Gallery welcomes a varied collection of paintings, sculptures or jewels exhibited by West Coast or local artists, like Sarah Brown, a young artist from Islay. The gallery is surrounded by a stunning beach with endless views over the Atlantic Ocean. To get to the Outback Art Gallery, follow the signs to Sanaigmore and turn right at the red phone box.

The Outback Gallery interior

This unique event will take place on Saturday 2nd July 2011 at 5.30 pm (precisely) to 7.00 pm. Tickets are £20 and can be booked at the Celtic Shop Bowmore 01496 810304 or book through email to martine.nouet@gmail.com. The number of seats available is limited so book asap. People who drive and can’t enjoy the whisky tasting will be given samples to take home.

Tag: music whisky cantilena