In Place by Colin Riley

A new song cycle by Colin Riley on the words of poets and writers, including Robert McFarlane (author of The Lost Words and The Old Ways)
Performed by Melanie Pappenheim and ensemble
Melanie Pappenheim voice
Kate Halsall piano, keyboard and harmonium
Nic Pendlebury viola
Stephen Hiscock percussion
Ruth Goller bass guitar, double bass and uke bass

In Place explores a sense of place in the British Isles; how it informs our cultural identity; shapes our language and dialects; provides both solace and stimulation, and contains histories both universal and personal. It speaks to all corners of the British Isles; Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and England. It also crosses art-form boundaries.

Composer Colin Riley is collaborating with writers for whom place is a recurring theme – Robert Macfarlane, Paul Farley, Selina Nwulu, Nick Papadimitriou, Jackie Morris, Daljit Nagra, Richard Skelton and Autumn Richardson. This specially created writing will form the core of a set of songs for vocalist Melanie Pappenheim and ensemble.

Riley’s recent NMC album ‘Shenanigans’ was described as ‘Wry, understated and slightly bonkers’ ★★★★ Guardian

In Place was commissioned by Sound Festival Scotland and was made possible with funding through Beyond Borders from PRS for Music Foundation and the Arts Council of England.