18/11/2025
Classics by Candlelight, **14th November 2025
On a really dreich November evening the welcoming glow of magical candle-light and delicious mulled wine created a warm, inviting ambience in the beautifully decorated Killearnan Parish Church. This set the scene for a wonderful evening of music, amply demonstrating the suitability of this building as a community space.
Catherine Zawalnycki, chair of Save Killearnan Church Working Group, welcomed everybody and introduced "Three's Company", a trio of gifted musicians comprising soprano Liz McLardy, pianist Anna Merrouni, and clarinetist James Ross.
A well-chosen and eclectic programme took us from Handel to Bernstein, with well-known pieces to make us feel at home, and less familiar works which invited further discovery. A particular highlight was the movement “Adagio for clarinet and piano”, from a work by Heinrich Baermann which for many years was attributed to Wagner (oops!).
Liz McLardy is a tremendously versatile singer whose acting talents complement her music to brilliant effect. Starting with Handel's “Let the Bright Seraphim” she moved seamlessly through the centuries with music including Rusalka’s Song to the Moon (that poor nymph of Dvorak’s) and Barber’s “Sure on this Shining Night”. There was a light hearted interlude when Liz sang "A Word in My Ear" composed by Flanders and Swann. The entire song, deliberately delivered ‘off key’, was hilarious, clearly illustrating the masterful range of her vocal talent.
Anna Merrouni played solo piano and accompanied the other two in a beautiful and understated manner. Most impressively she hardly had a break from the piano all evening, and Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” was a beautiful choice for a solo spot.
James Ross gave a humorous insight into each classical rendition and played at least two different clarinets (not simultaneously!) with great dexterity, the sound fitting perfectly into many different pieces and ably showcasing the versatile range and tone of this instrument. It was incredible that a clarinet could impersonate a trumpet so realistically!
The work of these talented musicians really demonstrated the amazing acoustics of the church building. Songs from the Musicals and The Great American Songbook provided a great finale to the evening with Flanders and Swann, Gershwin, and Bernstein. Their richly deserved two encores were met with rapturous applause.
James commented on their pleasure at playing in this fine building and being part of the efforts to save it for the community. The concert was a fundraiser for the Highland Hospice and The Kirk at Killearnan.
The performance was followed by tea, home baking and blether in the church hall. Music, community and cake –a perfect combination! We look forward to the next time.
A huge thank you to all our supporters and our dedicated team of helpers, always busy behind the scenes.
(Based on reviews from members of the audience).
