Film Debut and Performance — Routes: Concept, Creation & Capture

Join Routes String Quartet as they debut their new film, and then will perform live at The National Piping Centre.

“Routes: Concept, Creation & Capture” is a film by Paul Jennings that follows the unique creative process of Scotland’s Trad. String Quartet, The Routes Quartet as they create, develop and record their recent release, ‘Arche’ [Ar:ki]. The classical string quartet is a highly refined ensemble. One that members devote enormous time and care curating; ensuring that the interpretation of composers’ music is executed with virtuosic precision. Traditional musicians meanwhile strive for individual style, compose their own tunes, informed by geographical idioms and pride themselves on being distinctive. However, at the heart of these two worlds lies a compelling commonality – intimacy and emotion. Both demanding the utmost of communication and empathy between players.

So how does this play out, when string quartet ensemble meets a Trad. approach? Can this marriage create a new distinctive blend? Can the compositions form a creative, emotive outlet which keeps the Traditional tune writing concept at its core? And can all this be recorded in a way that does not lose the essence of the intimate sound? This film explores this process; under guidance from string specialist producer, Greg Lawson and sound specialist producer, David Donaldson. Follow The Routes Quartet as they embark on this unique quest to satisfyingly combine these genres with the required intimacy and emotion from these two giants of culture.

The film will be followed by a Q&A session and a live performance of ‘Arche’ by The Routes String Quartet is a string quartet with a difference; made up of traditional folk musicians, Routes writes and performs a combination of contemporary compositions and innovative arrangements of traditional music. The ensemble bridges the gap between classical and folk music; exploring the vast textures, tones and intimate musical qualities which are characteristic of a string quartet, but with a folksy, rootsy accent.

The quartet’s music is an exquisite blend of folk, classical and fiddle traditions, featuring evocative arrangements of folk tunes and stunning original compositions. The Routes Quartet is made up of the classic string quartet instrumentation of cello (Rufus Huggan), viola (Emma Tomlinson), and two fiddles (David Lombardi and Madeleine Stewart).
With a love of Scottish music, Routes bring different approaches from classical, blues and Scandinavian influences to combine with their original compositions and arrangements of existing tunes.