The Tim Kliphuis Trio are among the world’s leading string ensembles, renowned for their dazzling virtuosity, inspired improvisation and richly varied repertoire drawing on classical, gypsy jazz and Celtic traditions. At the 2026 Festival, we will be presenting Tim’s Stirling Queen commission which doubles up as a youth development project that will immerse young Shetland musicians in a vital chapter of our islands’ history.
Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis, guitarist Nigel Clark and bassist Roy Percy will be celebrating their 20th year of touring in 2026, and they return to Shetland after a 8 year gap.
During their last visit in 2018, Tim Kliphuis encountered the remarkable story of Queen Margaret of Denmark and the historic ties between Shetland, Orkney and Scotland - an encounter that sparked the idea for The Stirling Queen.
Commissioned by The Queen’s Hall for its 40th anniversary celebrations and premiered in 2019, the five-movement work tells the true story of Margaret’s life: her journey from Denmark to Scotland at the age of 14, her marriage to James III and the dowry, her political influence, and her early death at Stirling Castle. Rooted in Scottish and Nordic traditions and shaped by reels, waltzes and laments, the music blends classical, gypsy jazz and folk influences into a powerful musical portrait of a young woman who played a pivotal role in both Shetland and Scotland’s history.
With key backing provided by some of Shetland's young musicians, The Stirling Queen Commission will be a key focus of our Festival programming on Saturday 3rd May.
However, it would be remiss of us not to programme this fantastic trio at some other concerts over the weekend!
As Festival goers from 2018 will recall, award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis breathes new life into existing styles with a high-energy and improvised sound. He has been hailed as a contemporary improvising “Paganini” and has shared the stage with many gypsy jazz groups including The Rosenberg Trio. Classically trained and widely regarded as Stéphane Grappelli’s heir, Kliphuis is a highly personal and inspiring performer, composer and educator.
Alongside Tim is Nigel Clark, who is an awe-inspiring guitar virtuoso with a unique sound, who has played the music of Django Reinhardt all his life. He has worked with many big names in jazz, folk and rock including Scottish hit band Hue and Cry.
Completing the trio is Roy Percy’s bass sound that is rooted in New Orleans and Jump-Jive, bringing the Trio raw street rhythms and infectious grooves. His unique bass slapping techniques, unrivalled in Europe, and his subtle dynamic feel make for a great range of emotions.
“Playfully inventive and technically brilliant“
The Scotsman
“One of the world’s finest fiddlers”
County Times
“Prodigiously talented, fearsomely fast and fun”
Time Out
Find out more on their Website.
