A classical album made in support of north-east flood victims and launched by Prince Charles is already a bestseller – and is heading for the charts this weekend.
Composer Paul Mealor said he has been blown away by the reception Immortal Memory, a collection of stirring renditions of Robbie Burns’ finest works, has received following its launch earlier this month.
The Aberdeen University professor was the driving force behind the album by the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir.
The CD, which was launched by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay earlier this month, has been hitting the airwaves as Classic FM’s disc of the week, with host John Suchet playing a track every morning.
It is also number 18 on Amazon’s classical bestsellers list, putting it in the same league as the likes of Andre Rieu.
Prof Mealor and the choir now have their fingers crossed the CD can make it into the classical charts at the weekend.
Through the Prince Charles’ Ballater Flood Appeal, all money raised by the album is going onto local victims of Storm Frank.
Last night Prof Mealor said: “For a university choir to be up there with all the top ensembles in the world, it is brilliant. It’s been on Classic FM in the morning at 10.15am as the album of the week.
“It is brilliant for us, and all the better because the money goes to a good cause. They (the choir) are absolutely buzzing. It is at number 18 on the classical bestsellers’ list at the moment.
“The CD is a nice mixture of all the classic Burns tunes. From the reviews, people are really enjoying it.”
The CD was premiered to hundreds of local residents at a concert in Ballater’s Glenmuick Church on January 12, with Prince Charles and Camilla the guests of honour.
Though unwilling to pick a favourite track from the collection, Prof Mealor said: “I think the one that, for me, really stands out is the new setting of Auld Lang Syne, it is a mixture of the new tune and the told tune together.”
Music from Immortal Memory will also feature on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune today to mark Robbie Burns Day.
The CD can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.