Scotland’s letters to reveal glimpses of history
Published: 15 November 2017
A series of lunchtime events exploring some of Scotland’s most fascinating historical letters - part of the UofG contribution to the Being Human Festival.
As part of the University of Glasgow’s contribution towards the nationwide Being Human festival, a series of lunchtime events exploring some of Scotland’s most fascinating historical letters will take place at the Alliance Française/Goethe Institut building on Park Circus between Monday 20th and Friday 24th November. Short talks on letters written by John Cage, Virigina Woolf, Lord Kelvin, Mozart and Mary, Queen of Scots will be illustrated by performances of music linked to the letters, giving an historical and cultural context to the letters, and allowing an intriguing look at these snapshots of history.
The University of Glasgow’s Björn Heile will look at the correspondence between John Cage and Glasgow’s own Eddie McGuire, with performances of music by both composers given by Mairi McGillivray and Laura Sergeant. The subject of these letters, Cage’s famous 4’33” will end the event (Monday 20th November).
Bryony Randall (Senior Lecturer, English Literature) examines Virginia Woolf’s famous set of letters from the Isle of Skye, as well as a little known letter written on a train travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh. She is joined by the Drake Ensemble who will perform a movement of a string quartet by Woolf’s colleague and close friend, Ethel Smyth (Tuesday 21st November).
Mozart
The Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Researcher, Thomas Sefton, will explore some of the letters written by the pioneering physicist Lord Kelvin, who was a member of staff at the University for many years. A keen amateur musician, Kelvin used to begin lectures by playing the natural horn to demonstrate sound waves, so the festival has commissioned Lalla Rookh, a new work from composer Jane Stanley to mark the occasion. Based on material taken from the letters, Stanley’s piece will be performed on the natural horn by Andy Saunders (Wednesday 22nd November).
The University of Glasgow’s Library contains a wealth of special collection material, including a letter written by Mozart shortly before his death in 1791. Some of the curation team will talk about the letter and how it came to be in Glasgow, with an accompanying performance of a selection of Mozart’s rarely heard instrumental duos. (Thursday 23rd November).
The final event in the series is a look at the letters of Mary, Queen of Scots. Alison Wiggins (Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics) will unravel some of the mysteries in her letters, with musical illustrations of music from her court from Aaron McGregor (Friday 2th November).
All of the events begin at 12.30pm and will last for approximately 30 minutes. Entry is free and unticketed.
For more information or for picture and content requests, please contact Andy Saunders (+44 7794 159214, Bryony Randall or Alison Wiggins.
Venue: Alliance Française/Goethe Institut, 3 Park Circus, Glasgow. G3 6AX
Dates: (daily at 12.30pm)
- Monday 20 – John Cage and Edward McGuire
- Tuesday 21 – Virginia Woolf and Ethel Smyth
- Wednesday 22 – Lord Kelvin and Jane Stanley
- Thursday 23 – Mozart
- Friday – Mary, Queen of Scots and her court musicians
Free entry, unticketed
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
First published: 15 November 2017
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