⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Edinburgh Guide

"Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert, relating amusing, enlightening stories to introduce each piece; his eloquent performance expresses a dramatic, emotional mood from sad and sorrowful to light-hearted and lyrical, oozing a joyful sense of romantic love."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Binge Fringe Magazine

"The absolute highlight of the night was when Sim declaimed Burns’ epic poem “Tam o’ Shanter”: all about witches, demons, and a haunted, hectic horse ride.  Sim would read several stanzas and then pause while Shiel punctuated the performance from selections from a “Tam o’ Shanter” musical arrangement, making for a ripping good yarn. 

Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts.  Sim declaimed the poetry beautifully, injecting the words with a rich Scottish accent fitting for the great Scottish wordsmith. Shiel is a gifted musician, showing especial regard for dynamics and musical structure.  He lead the audience through the three-part Sonata form of the piano pieces with great clarity, showcasing the fascinating structure of the classical selections.

The atmosphere the performers curated was what really made Burns Night Hootennany! so special.  The welcome at the door, the cakes, the candles, the group song at the end, all helped take the music and poetry off the stage and integrate it into a more living-room like environment, similar to how the art would have been performed back in its day."

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Three Weeks

"Musically, it was calm and resonant with an outstanding woodwind section; such soaring tones. Leader Raymond Cheuk Ting Hon was an outstanding violin soloist, interpreting Massenet’s ‘Meditation from Thais’ touchingly, and Artistic Director Matthew Shiel shone in Mozart’s ‘Adagio from Piano Concerto number 23 in A major’. Punctuated by Eastern bells and smells to continue the mood between items this was indeed a meditative evening."

James Gordon (audience reviewer - Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024)

"A young pianist is fighting his way through Liszt's transcription of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Never mind the emotional or philosophical meaning of the music; it is all he can do to play the right notes in the right order, at something approximating to the right speed. Beethoven's ghost is not amused. He must give the lad a masterclass..
Such is the premise of this show, more a concert with dramatised dialogue than a play with music. The title is slightly misleading. The format is closer to radio programmes like "Desert Island Discs" or "Private Passions", especially the latter, for with one exception Matthew Shiel plays complete short pieces, or whole movements of longer ones, well conveying his character's growing intuitive understanding as he discovers the tortured and chaotic circumstances that gave rise to this music.
Naturally, the music takes centre stage, but whenever the piano is silent Alastair Sim's Beethoven dominates, complete with stained attire and wild hair. The coup de theatre of his first appearance profits from opportunities offered by the venue and will not be soon forgotten.”