FACT SHEET: James Ross and Maxwell Quartet’s “Landscape to Light” on June 21
Fact Sheet. April 4, 2024 (For immediate release) Hannah Goldshlack-Wolf. hannah@wildkatpr.com. +1 917 330 2046
The Phenotypic Recordings release marks a rare opportunity to experience Scottish literature, folklore, and the natural beauty of Caithness and the Flow Country, through a classical music lens
Full studio album coming June 21, 2024
STREAMING NOW:
Single: The Swilkie
Scottish composer and pianist James Ross will release the full studio album, Landscape to Light, on the Phenotypic Recordings label on June 21, 2024
● The album is made up of Ross’ original compositions for piano and string quartet, performed by Ross and the renowned Maxwell String Quartet, and produced by Calum Malcom
● Ross and the Maxwell Quartet, both based in Scotland, draw on their folk music heritage and classical training
● The album invites listeners into Ross’ homeland of Caithness, the northernmost point in the Scottish mainland, and evokes the spectacular but fearsome power of the sea, the legends of fairy mischief passed down through generations, and the landscapes depicted by Scottish novelist, Neil Gunn
● The Caithness and Sutherland peatlands and wetlands comprise the Flow Country, the most extensive blanket bog system in the world, which is critical for biodiversity and combating climate change but is facing threat; it is currently being considered for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to emphasize its global importance
● The album’s complete worldwide release will be preceded by three singles:
○ “The Swilkie” - April 12, 2024
○ “Landscape to Light” - May 3, 2024
○ “Grey Coast” - May 31, 2024
● Each track of this musical storybook is about an aspect of Caithness life and lore. Ross conjures up both the natural and mystical worlds, and the wonder and tragedy in them; the album themes include portraits of the sea, shore,
moorlands and more; a hymn for lives taken by the sea; and folktales of a blacksmith’s battle with fairies, and a farmhand who becomes a piping superstar
● The album’s namesake track Landscape to Light paints in music the writings by author Neil Gunn, also from Caithness. The track will be accompanied by a video by Minttu Mäntynen which surveys the spectrum of wild beauty of Northern Scotland
“The grandeur of the far north of Scotland is something I have often tried to describe, but words so often fail to capture the temperament of the Caithness coast. These compositions are a series of portraits evoking both the natural and mystical worlds, and they bring full circle my interest in melding classical music together with the Scottish traditional music of my upbringing. In Landscape to Light, I draw inspiration from the novelist Neil Gunn, Caithness folklore, the power of the sea and the natural beauty of the Flow Country where I grew up.” shares Ross.
"James Ross blends his profound understanding of Scottish traditions with his artistry in classical music to create innovative compositions with contemporary flair. His deep love for his homeland resonates in every note of his compositions, serving as both a treasure and a testament to the enduring beauty and resilience of Scottish identity, and the specialness of this land,” states Stephen Prutsman, Creative Director of Phenotypic Recordings
Information on Flow Country & UNESCO application
BBC, “The vast bog that helps fight climate change”, September 6, 2023
BBC, “Formal bid made for Flow Country Unesco status”, February 2, 2023
UNESCO Heritage site application
Album credits:
Album Title: Landscape to Light
Composer: James Ross
Performing Artists: James Ross, piano;
Maxwell Quartet: Colin Scobie, violin; George Smith, violin; Elliott Perks, viola; Duncan Strachan, cello
Recorded at: The Hub, Edinburgh on the 10th & 11th March 2023.
Producer: Calum Malcolm
Sound Engineer: Cameron Malcolm
Album art: Drawings of The Flow Country by Magi Sinclair
Graphic designer: Simon Roche
Liner Notes: Colin MacDonald
Supported by Creative Scotland
Record Label: Phenotypic Recordings
About James Ross
James Ross is a Scottish pianist and composer whose music is inspired by the rich tapestry of traditional music he grew up with in the Highlands. He blends this with influences from classical music to create innovative compositions drawing on the landscape, folklore, and history of the north of Scotland. James’s music has been praised by audiences and critics alike: “Gorgeously compelling” (Sunday Herald); “Sublimely lyrical melodic gifts” (The Scotsman); “He will charm you, take you on day dreams, impress and take your breath away” (FolkWorld). Ross has been featured in radio shows including NPR’s Thistle & Shamrock and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show. James weaves Scotland’s musical traditions, landscape, folklore, literature, and history into beautiful and haunting compositions that spring from a deep understanding of his own roots in the north of Scotland. As a composer James has worked and recorded with various ensembles including Mr McFall’s Chamber, The Wallace Collection and now the Maxwell Quartet. James has developed strong collaborations with authors to develop new work that transcends boundaries. He recently joined forces with prolific author Alexander McCall Smith to create a song cycle called “These are the Hands”. He has also worked with the novelist James Robertson to create a musical adventure “The Boy and The Bunnet.” James has a degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a masters in traditional music from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance studying under Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. James has been a lecturer in traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow for over 20 years.
About Maxwell Quartet
Scotland-based Maxwell Quartet is regarded as one of Britain's finest young string quartets, with a strong connection to their folk music heritage and a commitment to bringing together wide-ranging projects and programmes to expand the string quartet repertoire. Winner of both First Prize and Audience Prize at the 9th Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in 2017, the Quartet has been hailed as “brilliantly fresh, unexpected and exhilarating” (The Scottish Herald) and “eloquent performers who bring the same sense of charisma and sense of adventure to their programming” (New York Times).
About Phenotypic Recordings
Phenotypic Recordings is a new record label whose mission is to bring to light to new and timeless music by world-class musicians, the unpublished recordings of innovative composers, and music that highlights the most important issues facing the world today. Phenotypic embraces “music with a mission”, giving special support to new compositions that tell stories from unique perspectives or shine light on timely issues. Acclaimed composer and pianist Stephen Prutsman joined as Creative Director in 2023. Phenotypic is proud to present James Ross’ Landscape to Light, an important contribution that expands the horizons of classical music, as well as serves as a gateway to viscerally experience the beauty and uniqueness of Scottish traditions and land. Both are integral parts of the global cultural fabric and ecological system, and we hope this album inspires all of us to further appreciate, preserve and nurture them. Other Phenotypic releases planned for 2024 include works by the Kronos Quartet, Kareem Roustom, Vivere String Quartet, W4RP, and Modern Violin Ensemble. it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.