Bringing a Fresh Sound to an Old Tradition: New Music for Fiddle & Cello
Track Listing and Notes
This CD follows on from their award winning album "Fire & Grace", winner of "Scots Trad Album of the Year" for 2004. The music on this album is highly original, with most of the pieces written by Alasdair Fraser and also including a wonderful new composition by Natalie Haas.
“Four Stars! Scots fiddle master Alasdair Fraser and young American cellist Natalie Haas have already created a considerable stir in their concert performances . . . A highly engaging session.” The Scotsman
"....So the idea of pairing a master fiddler such as Alasdair Fraser with the sublime cello playing of Natalie Haas might seem like a stroke of brilliance, something bold and new. But according to Fraser, it's a pairing that has deep roots in Celtic tradition. 'People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound,' Fraser says, 'but they're surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands.'
Fraser is unquestionably one of the finest fiddle players in the world, both in performance and his tireless promotion of Scottish music. His repertoire spans centuries of Scottish music with a willingness to push those forms in new directions.
Haas, now in her early 20s, first came to Fraser's attention at age 11 while attending one of his Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School camps. Encouraged by Fraser, she began to investigate the cello's potential for rhythmic accompaniment to fiddle tunes.
In 2004, the musicians joined forces for Fire & Grace, an award-winning album that showcases a wide range of styles, from sizzling reels and airs to the lush melancholic pieces that are also a hallmark of Celtic music. The album is well balanced, with Fraser and Haas sharing the spotlight and complementing each other with effortless grace. Fraser's fiery fiddle is matched and mellowed perfectly by Haas's rich, sonorous cello."
- John Ginn, Eugene Weekly
| TRACK LISTING |
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1
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Alasdair wrote this tune for his hugely successful annual summer camp, the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School. Alasdair and Natalie met there when Natalie was just 11 years old.
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2
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Natalie wrote this tune on the plane flying from Madrid back to her home in New York. Musicians tend to spend a lot of their time in a suspended state between places, reflecting on all the wonderful experiences they’ve just had while simultaneously trying to prepare themselves for the ones they’re about to have. Thanks to Joyce Beaton for the name!
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3
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- The first of these two tunes was used in the last scene of the Disney film “Treasure Planet”, where Alasdair is depicted playing it in the shape of a many-armed female alien. Alasdair’s son Galen, a wonderful soccer player, fiddler, and tunesmith, wrote the second tune..
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4
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This tune was made on a hot afternoon in this Spanish town to the sounds of children playing in the street.
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5
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Another tune honouring Alasdair’s relationship with the Isle of Skye. In the penthouse of the tower at Sabhal Mor Ostaig (the Gaelic college where Alasdair has hosted a fiddle camp for the last 21 years), while in the midst of writing the opening strathspey, Alasdair and Natalie were invaded by a pack of crazy women dressed in burkas complete with a musical stuffed camel…that was a moment not to be forgotten!
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6
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Alasdair first heard this tune on a beautiful recording by the band Ossian and fell in love with it. It was brought to the band by piper Iain MacDonald from Glenuig, who has yet to remember where he forst heard it...
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7
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written for long-time friend and collaborator Laura Risk, a beautiful person and fiddle player.
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8
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This tune was written (for lack of paper) on a plane from Tenerife to Madrid on the inside of a certain bag that can always be found in the seat pocket in front of you!
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9
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Alasdair wrote this tune for Natalie, whose middle name is no longer a secret. Each part illustrates a different side of her personality.
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10
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We’ve been having lots of fun with this one over the years…thanks to Niall for a great tune!
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11
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Alasdair wrote this tune on the back of a Christmas card for the young Christina Tappan many years ago.
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12
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Duncan Hendry commissioned this first tune for the opening of the Aberdeen Alternative Festival. The second tune was written for Alasdair’s younger son Cameron, a very energetic dancer.
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13
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A "Hymn for a Teacher"- this piece is dedicated to Alasdair's teacher and mentor in the early years. He was a very inspiring teacher/violinist who played in a most soulful way and had a huge impact on Alasdair's musical life.
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14
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written for Alasdair's father on the occasion of one of his many visits to San Francisco to play bass with the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers.
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Alasdair Fraser (fiddle)