Feadag
The Outer Hebrides of Scotland provided a backdrop for a profound spiritual and musical journey for composer Rūta Vitkauskaitė in January 2022, during her An Lanntair residency in Bragar (Isle of Lewis), as part of the ‘Modern Chants’ project, supported by Creative Scotland.
During this time, she attended a Gaelic service at the Seminary in Stornoway and was deeply moved by the unique experience of hearing Hebridean psalm singing with its crescendo of voices soaring from the lowest to the highest registers. The weaving of powerful voices of the community choir brought energy and depth to the flow of the melodies, creating a true expression of prayer through song. Rūta had the opportunity to delve into the birth of songs and melodies and the creation of lyrics through discussions with Catriona Murray, a lecturer at Stornoway UHI, and Torquil Macleod, Gaelic psalm presenter, artist, and songwriter. Inspired by these conversations on the importance of preserving traditions, Rūta created the piece ‘Feadag’ which integrates local birdsong as well.
Her research into various aspects of ritual, ceremonies, and music was further enriched by Anne Campbell, a researcher in archaeology with deep knowledge of local culture and traditions. Rūta and Anne had in-depth conversations about instincts, gut feelings, visions, and local stories on magic and supernatural abilities, diving into the rich cultural heritage of the area.
During her residency, Rūta also collaborated with James and Katie Mackenzie during several song-sharing sessions. They integrated local tunes with Puirt á Beul, bagpipe, and flute music, as well as influences from Lithuanian songs and Rūta‘s original music. These pieces, along with others created in the residency, were presented at a concert on Burns Night in January 2022 at Grinneabhat, Bragar.
Rūta continues to perform ‘Feadag’, ‘Prayer for Extinct Language’ and ‘Oracle of Many Winds’ as a solo concert setup, embodying the rich spiritual and cultural experience of her residency in the Outer Hebrides.
Full blog and ‘Feadag’: https://lanntair.com/ruta-vitkauskaite-my-time-at-bragar/
Duration: 30 minutes
Setup: solo violin & voice, loop pedal (possible portable battery powered setup)
Performers: 1