Mackintosh Music Cabinet

Another busy week ahead getting ready for the start of our special celebrations at the Mackintosh Church. On Friday the Mackintosh Society achieves a remarkable landmark in celebrating 40 years of protecting and promoting the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The preparations started today with the delivery of the beautiful Mackintosh Music Cabinet. Recently discovered, this mahogany music cabinet was designed for a Mrs Pickering as shown in Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s watercolour design of 1898. Ellen Pickering was the daughter of John Anderson, the owner of Scotland’s largest department store, the Royal Polytechnic (now Debenhams) on Argyle Street. Ellen married Robert Pickering of R&Y Pickering’s of Wishaw, a major locomotive manufacturer of the time.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary we are hosting a Special Gala Event at The Mackintosh Church on Friday 4 October. The evening will be introduced by the BBC's Judith Ralston.

The Music Cabinet has inspired the theme for the event – which includes performances by leading Scottish Baritone Paul Keohone, accompanied, on this one special occasion, by the legendary accompanist Robert Sutherland. In the early seventies Robert was touring the world with Maria Callas and in 1977 he gave his farewell performance accompanying the great Montserrat Caballe. The second half is given over to recital pianist Elaine Gould, followed by a celebratory reception to mark the Society's achievements over four decades.

Tickets cost £10.00 per person and booking is essential as places are limited. During the evening there will be an opportunity to view the music cabinet - as well as viewing Frances Law's exhibition of paintings specifically created for the Mackintosh Church.