Karen Tweed premieres her new commission this month

Karen Tweed

Karen Tweed is set to premiere her new commissioned piece of music ‘Visitors’ about Orkney over two nights at a beauty spot on the island.

Karen Tweed began playing the piano accordion at the age of 11 under the guidance of Joe Coll, who came to Wellingborough, Northamptonshire to teach and recruit players for his accordion band. She then went on to study with Lawry Eady, Warren Eagle, and finally with button accordionist John Whelan who was her biggest inspiration and fired her passion for Irish traditional music.

Karen turned professional in 1989, working with singer/songwriter Roger Wilson and became a founding member of the Poozies.

She is known for her lyrical, subtle and expressive musical style, and regularly teaches on the BA and MA courses at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at Limerick University

Karen Tweed – ‘Visitors’ world premiere in Orkney

Ticket £25. Concession £22.50.

Visitors 1

June 22, 2021 at 8:00pm. Duration: 1 hour
Happy Valley, Stenness, KW16 1LA
WORLD PREMIERE

Visitors 2

JUNE 23, 2021 AT 8.00 PM DURATION 1 hour
Happy Valley, Stenness, KW16 1LA
WORLD PREMIERE

Karen Tweed         Composer, Accordion
Maureen Flaws     Voice
Ursula Leveaux     Bassoon
Andy Saunders      French Horn
Owen Gunnell        Percussion

Set against the verdant backdrop of the undiscovered treasure, Happy Valley garden in Stenness, this is a brand new commission for this year’s Festival, specially created in the course of the last year and with the collaboration of the ensemble musicians.

Karen Tweed writes:  ‘Orkney’s location has attracted a myriad of visitors for centuries. Some return annually; some stay a-while; some leave swiftly; some settle here. Visitors here range from animal, plant, mineral and historically the humankind have been everything from seafarers, invaders, prisoners of war, tourists, merchants, explorers, those looking for life-changes, families and monks. And more………..This last year has transformed the simple concept of ‘visiting’ into a luxury, never again to be taken for granted, while the impact of a visitor or being visited can hold both joyous and sinister connotations.’

This is an outdoor seated event so ‘visitors’ are advised to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. As there is no parking at the event people are advised to park at the Stenness community school and a free shuttle bus will take them to the concert at Happy Valley.

Karen is also playing a solo concert of music from throughout her career (but not ‘Visitors’) via facebook this Sunday 13th June at 7 pm for Siamsa tire in Ireland. Tickets are free but people will need to contact boxoffice@siamsatire.com or call 066-712-3055 (Ireland) www.siamsatire.com

Artist’s website:www.karentweed.com

‘Napoleon’s March’ – just for fun: