Orcadian explorer to be remembered in concert

Orcadian explorer, Dr John Rae is to be remembered as part of a concert taking place in Aberdeen this weekend.

The event, which takes place on Sunday at St Andrew’s Cathedral, will showcase the work of composer Ed Jones, a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen.

Mr Jones has spent several years researching the ill-fated Franklin expedition to the Arctic in 1845 and the role of Dr Rae in unravelling one of the great mysteries of the Victorian era.

He has written a 50-minute elegy to the 129 lives lost on the Franklin expedition and the subsequent efforts of Rae, who discovered the fate of the crew but was discredited at the time.

The elegy will be performed by two Aberdeen choirs and an orchestra.

Mr Jones has worked alongside historian Professor Peter Davidson from the University who has written a libretto he has set to music.

It forms the key piece of work Mr Jones is working on for a PhD in composition.