Preview: musical March double bill at Eastgate

The Bingham String Quartet will mark the first day of March with a visit to the Eastgate Theatre, in association with Music in Peebles.

Steve Bingham, who gave a memorable concert on acoustic and electric violins in 2013, now returns with his renowned string quartet.

He will be appearing with Marina Gillam (violin), Brenda Stewart (viola) and James Halsey (cello).

In this concert the quartet will demonstrates its acclaimed interpretation of the classical repertoire and fresh approach to new music with a programme which includes both mainstream masterpieces and key works by pioneers of minimalism.

Featured pieces will be Janáček’s String Quartet No.1 (‘Kreutzer Sonata’); Steve Reich’s Different Trains (1988); String Quartet No.2 (‘Company’) (1984) by Philip Glass and Beethoven’s String Quartet No.10 in E flat, Op.74 (‘Harp’).

On March 2 there’s a change of genre and a change of pace, as Breabach take to the stage.

This multi award-winning Scottish five-piece delivers a thrilling brand of contemporary folk music. During the last two years they have played the Sydney Opera House, New Zealand’s Womad Festival, Central Park NY, Vancouver Folk Music Festival and toured Canada, Asia, the Middle East, Europe & the UK.

Breabach brings together the talents of Calum MacCrimmon (pipes/whistles/bouzouki/vocals), Ewan Robertson (guitar/ vocals), James Mackenzie (pipes/flute/whistles), Megan Henderson (fiddle/vocals/stepdance) and James Lindsay (double bass).

Formed in 2005, they received nominations in 2011 for ‘Best Group’ at both the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the Scots Trad Music Awards (Na Trads). They won Scottish Folk Band of the Year at the 2012 Trads, and Live Act of the Year in 2013.

The Bingham String Quartet, March 1, 7.30pm. Tickets are £14, (£7 if accompanying a child under 12) and free for MiP members and students.

Breabach, March 2, 7.30pm. Tickets £15, £13, £6 for schoolchildren.

Tickets are available on 01721 725777 or online at www.eastgatearts.com