Biography
“RoyBridge-born fiddler and pianist Donald Grant is a musician and composer who can bring together classical training and influences including Eastern European and gypsy traditions, and yet still create music that sounds absolutely rooted in his native Lochaber... this is bright, ambitious folk music for the 21st century.” The Herald
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Donald Grant is a violinist, fiddle player, collaborator and composer based in Glasgow, Scotland. At an early age he was immersed in the folk tradition of the Highlands of Scotland, learning Gaelic songs from his father who was a singer and teacher. He has since followed a path that defies one musical genre, travelling the globe collaborating with many artists and organisations.
He founded the Elias String Quartet in 1998. As one of Europe’s leading Chamber ensembles they have toured extensively, regularly playing in the great concert halls including Carnegie Hall (New York), Recital Centre (Melbourne), Wigmore Hall (London), Southbank Centre (London), Musikverein (Vienna), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) and Konserthaus (Berlin). They also have an extensive and acclaimed recording catalogue including the Complete Beethoven Quartets for the Wigmore Hall’s “Live” label.
They appear on BBC Radio 3 regularly and have played at the BBC Proms, Aldeburgh Festival, Edinburgh Festival, East Neuk Festival, Cheltenham Festival and many more. They were BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, Boletti-Buitoni Award Winners and BBC Music Magazine’s Newcomer of the Year.
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“Few Quartets at any stage of their evolution have this much personality”
Philadelphia Enquirer
“Magic moments abound.... An ability to live and breathe each phrase with an enraptured sensitivity”
The Strad
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An advocate for the music of his native home, Donald’s recent solo performances include the Wigmore Hall, Southwell Festival, Cucagnan Festival, RNCM Festival and the Weesp Festival. He writes and arranges music for himself and for others and can heard on his solo album “The Way Home”.
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“Superb debut release... breaking down the barriers of what we know of traditional folk music” *****
Maverick Magazine
A passionate composer, Donald had had works performed by The Elias Quartet, Tom Poster and Elena Urioste, Scottish Ensemble, Ensemble Perpetuo, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, RNCM String Orchestra and the Southwell Festival Orchestra. Upcoming compositional performances over 2023-24 include Aurora Orchestra, Manchester Collective and Scottish Ensemble.
Donald has collaborated with artists including Kate Rusby, Mischa MacPherson, The Secret North, Su-a Lee, Mike Vass, Catriona McKay, Leif Vollebekk, Richard Hawley, The Seafairers, Thea Gilmore, The GRIT Orchestra and The Script; and has played as a principal player with the Scottish Ensemble, Manchester Collective, Red Note Ensemble and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. In addition to touring & writing, he currently holds the position of Deputy Head of Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
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