THE Cumnock Tryst festival’s 2019 line up has now been revealed as it’s most diverse so far.

Sir James MacMillan announced the programme for the iconic event hosted around the village of where he grew up.

Now in it’s sixth year the concert will welcome a range of artists from the first solo recital in Scotland by magnetic soprano Danielle de Niese to new work from Jay Capperauld and Gillian Walker.

There will also be informal evenings at the Dumfries Arms Hotel this year including Barbara Dickson and the Farmers Choir.

As ever, The Cumnock Tryst welcomes a group of musicians as its resident artists, this year Mr McFall’s Chamber and also forefronts music education as part of the main programme including the chance for audiences to see inside the compositional process in a public masterclass.

Mr McFall’s Chamber are the Tryst’s Artists in Residence this year, taking part in events on all four days of the Festival. Renowned for their innovative approach to programming and stylistic plurality they are a perfect fit for the Tryst having been formed with the aim of creating new audiences, new music and newdirections in music.

The Chamber will be joined by the great Scottish choir Cappella Nova in the opening concert in a programme ranging from Penderecki to Michael Murray, the local composer from Auchinleck whose guitar concerto has just received its US premiere following its first performance at the Tryst in 2017. Two new hardhitting and visionary works by Murray mark a move to choral music continuing his exciting development.

Later in the Tryst, Majesty sees Cappella Nova bring an intriguing programme of early Scottish music exploring Scotland’s musical evolution from the time just before the Reformation to the sounds which emerged in the wake of the changes.

Mixing the complex and florid Catholic sounds of Robert Carver with the more austere and simple beauties of the immediate postReformation composers like Robert Johnson, this concert allows a beautifully crafted glimpse into the shared musical treasury of Scottish history.

Sir James MacMillan said, “Alan and Rebecca Tavener have been important musical figures in Scotland these last few decades, and the impact of Cappella Nova on musical life has been significant. I have written a lot of music for them over the years, but their dedication to early music, especially of these islands has been a great gift to music lovers in these parts. Their presence at The Cumnock Tryst will be very special.”

The Tryst finishes with a choral flourish.

The Festival Chorus and Novantae Singers are set to raise the roof with a mix of Handel’s timeless and stunning choral music Zadok the Priest, Let thy hand be strengthened and The King shall rejoice.

James MacMillan commented, “The Festival Chorus is the jewel in the crown of The Cumnock Tryst. It brings together keen choristers from all over Ayrshire and beyond to provide a crucial kernel to the musical and social life of the Festival. Also joined by a brilliant young vocal ensemble, specially created for Cumnock by Andy McTaggart, the closing concert will inspire and delight our audience.”

This year the Festival Service on Sunday morning takes place in the Congregational Church in Cumnock. The liturgy will be led by a group of singers from Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, conducted by James MacMillan. The congregation will have been prepared during a free special workshop led by Alan and Rebecca Tavener of Cappella Nova which anyone can sign up to.