Alan Stivell

Alan Stivell is celebrating his 80th birthday on his last prototype harp and vocals, plus the keyboards of Tangi Miossec in a concert called Heart and Soul  "KALON HAG ENE”.

NEW SONGS & MUSIC FROM CELTIC ROOTS

From Alan:

It is an incredible joy for me to be back in Scotland!

For my 80th birthday, and for special events in churches and cathedrals, I am now proposing a more intimate set. I am just singing with my last solid-body prototype (electro-acoustic) harp and with a great keyboard man, Tangi Miossec.

All along my life, since the age of 10, I will have ever been in search of new paths where a Celtic soul in our times can grow in a borderless world. 

I always have considered that we can only mix things that we know well. That is why I always have given much importance to the deeper roots of Celtic culture. 

Interested by Wales because of the proximity of our languages, I have been more enthusiastic though with Gaelic music. It has been almost as important as Breton music in my education since 1953. 

Irish of course, but even more Scottish, as I was soon trained in the Pib mhór and gained my College of Piping exam before being pipe-major of the Brittany’s bagads champion (Bleimor). That occurred first in the mid-sixties, just before the beginning of my professional carrier as singer-musician (1966). 

And I must say that Scottish music has even influenced my own vocal style. 

Once being sure of strong roots, the links with our timeless identities, what drives me is the curiosity for unknown and virgin new lands. Then, I always tried new musical experiments, new sounds, new fusions, even new types of harps, unique prototypes (some source of anxiety with travels).

I ever have also written totally personal new songs and music, this for several decades.

I want to offer you the best I can, with in my mind sweet images of concerts in Scotland (specially 1973 Usher Hall ended in the street, without forgetting several Celtic Connections!). 

For 70 years, I have been promoting Inter-Celtic cross-over. 

Welcome in my Interceltic music and songs, appreciating much this Scottish invitation!

Alan Stivell