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There is an incredible richness and depth to the sound
of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra when they come together to perform the
'slow airs'. Each tune appeals to the emotions of the heart, invoking
deep feelings for the events, past and present, to which these tunes refer.
TRACKS
1 JOHN M MASON
1.31
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven)
2
THE ARRAN SHEPHERD 4.16
3 SUNSET SONG [Afore the Grimleens]
4.11
4 FATHER EAMONN GILMARTIN
4.34
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven)
5
KELTIC ODYSSEY 4.50
6 MARGARET ANN ROBERTSON
3.50
(Duet - Yla Steven & Stewart McCreath)
7 MAJOR GRAHAM OF INCHBRACKIE
4.07
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven)
8
DA AULD RESTIN' CHAIR 4.35
9 GERRY [Riverchapel]
6.03
(Duet - Yla Steven & Stewart
McCreath)
10 NEIL GOW'S LAMENT FOR THE
DEATH OF HIS SECOND WIFE
2.00
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven)
11 THE
CAROL OF THE BAGPIPERS 4.46
[Canzone D'L Zampognari]
12 SILENT STRINGS 4.21
(Duet - Yla Steven
& Stewart McCreath)
13 HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL 2.56
BACKGROUND TO THE TRACKS
1 JOHN M MASON
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven, comp Yla Steven*)
This haunting Slow
Air composed by Yla Steven is dedicated to John Mason "founding
father" and Musical Director of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra from its
formation in 1980 until his death on 22nd January 2011. It depicts how bereft
all felt on his passing but then goes on to express a more joyful mood at the
wonderful legacy he has left - his music.
2 THE ARRAN SHEPHERD
(comp John M Mason*)
This tune was written by John Mason for the
Reverend James Currie a long time friend who compered SFO concerts from the
very first on 22nd March 1980 until his death on 18th April 1987. John later
used this melody as the opening of his tribute to the Rev. James Currie the
overture - Friend of Man. In this performance our leader Bill Cook has
developed the original air into a longer piece.
3 SUNSET SONG [Afore
the Grimleens]
(comp John M Mason*)
A tone poem depicting the
calm, clear northern sunset of the Orkney Islands. Firstly there is the sound
of the sea birds and then the ever-enriching crimson glow as the sun appears as
a fiery ball spreading its cloak over the whole Western sky before dipping
under the Atlantic horizon and leaving the Islands in the darkening shadows
(the "Grimleens")
4 FATHER EAMMON GILMARTIN
(Violin
Solo - Yla Steven, comp John M Mason*)
With sub-title "Well done thou
good and faithful servant" this tune was composed to mark the retiral from the
Church of Fr. Eamonn Gilmartin of Portroe, Nenagh, North Tipperary. A staunch
supporter of the SFO over many years he conducted the service of Thanksgiving
and Dedication in the Music Hall, Aberdeen on its 10th Anniversary. A man of
immense humanity and understanding his door was always open to members of the
SFO knowing by name practically every member. Latterly ill health meant he
could not be present when this tune was first performed in the Usher Hall,
Edinburgh in 2005.
5 KELTIC ODYSSEY
(comp John M Mason*)
John arranged this piece which takes two very famous melodies and entwines
them. The tunes "Carrickfergus" and "The Water is Wide" are
both celtic in origin, yet their backgrounds are highly debated, with claims
being made by proponents of both that their favourite originated from the
other. Both it would seem stem from a piece called "Waly Waly"
published in 1724, sometimes said to be part of a longer ballad "Lord
Jamie Douglas". It seems, however, over time "Waly Waly" has
mutated with other English and Scottish verses into "Carrickfergus"/"The
Water is Wide".
6 MARGARET ANN ROBERTSON
(Duet - Yla Steven
& Stewart McCreath, comp Frank Jamieson/arr John M Mason*)
Composed by
Shetland fiddler/composer Frank Jamieson on the death of his sister who passed
away at a very early age, "Maggie" played fiddle and was considered by
her father to have the finest touch of all his family. The tune is thought to
be Frank Jamieson's finest composition and has been beautifully arranged here
as a fiddle duet played by Yla Steven and Stewart McCreath.
7 MAJOR
GRAHAM OF INCHBRACKIE
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven, comp Neil Gow/trad arr
John M Mason*)
This is one of the finest Slow Airs in Scottish music
and is the composition of the great Niel Gow born at Inver near Dunkeld in
Perthshire in 1727. Robert Burns met with Gow who was 32 years his senior
during his famous Highland Tour and was much impressed by Gow's work and
reputation. When submitting "O my Love's like a Red, Red Rose" to
James Johnson for inclusion in the "Scots Musical Museum" he requested
the tune "Major Graham" be applied. As originally written, the
beginning of the poem fits entirely the melody by Gow but development of the
poem did necessitate change of emphasis.
8 DA AULD RESTIN'
CHAIR
(comp Tom Anderson/arr John M Mason*)
Composed by Shetland
Fiddler Tom Anderson and arranged for orchestra by John Mason. Da Auld Restin'
Chair was where Tom's grandfather used to sit in his cottage at Eshaness on the
north mainland of Shetland overlooking the cliffs with the sea lashing on them
- one of the most dramatic views in the Shetland Isles.
9 GERRY
[Riverchapel]
(Duet - Yla Steven & Stewart McCreath, comp Yla
Steven*)
A very fine Slow Air by Yla Steven dedicated to the late
"founding father" and President of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Dr.
Gerry Crean. Gerry hailed from Riverchapel in County Wexford and this tune
captures, in a unique way his "Irishness" of Slow Air playing for
which he was renowned.
10 NEIL GOW's LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF HIS SECOND
WIFE
(Violin Solo - Yla Steven, comp Neil Gow/trad arr John M
Mason*)
Neil Gow is one of the greatest names in the history of
Scottish Fiddle Music. A fiddle player and composer of unique quality he was in
constant demand by the nobility, particularly the Duke of Athole. Gow's first
wife, Margaret Wiseman, and many of his eight children predeceased him as did
his second wife Margaret Urquhart (or Orchard), whom he married in 1768. A
musician in her own right she and Gow are credited with the air "Loch Erroch
Side". More than thirty years of happily married life ended on her death just
two years before Gow. It is said he never recovered from her passing and was
moved to compose this most beautiful and evocative slow air in her memory.
11 THE CAROL OF THE BAGPIPERS [Canzone D'L Zampognari]
(comp
trad arr John M Mason/Keith Easdale*)
This is a wonderfully tuneful
piece collected by Piper Keith Easdale in Northern Italy. It is a most popular
carol in its homeland and demonstrates the universality of bagpipes throughout
the world. Most popular during the Festive Season this arrangement mirrors the
local village procession to the Church with a woodwind band playing another
popular carol and then blossoming into the "Carol of the Bagpipers"
before being joined by the Zampognari.
12 SILENT STRINGS
(Duet -
Yla Steven & Stewart McCreath, comp John M Mason*)
Betty Henderson and
Reesa McGinn, both teachers in Ayrshire, were founder members of the orchestra.
Betty's Shetland roots and Reesa's Ayrshire roots provided two very different
styles of playing. The combination however gave us a unique format for duets
which they both relished. Especially for them John wrote pieces such as
"The Shetlander", "The Orcadian", "The Trow Fiddlers", "The Academician",
"The New Caledonian" and others which became firm favourites at SFO
concerts. These performances came to an end on Reesa's death, and when Betty
died in 2008 this era came to a close. John wrote "Silent Strings" in their
honour and as a tribute to their undaunting enthusiasm for the Scottish Fiddle
Orchestra.
13 Highland Cathedral
(comp Roever/Korb - MCA Music)
This immensely popular piece was inspired by the visit to Scotland of
two professional composers/musicians. The towering mountains of the Highlands
and the serenity of the glens prompted them to compose for bagpipes this music
on the theme of a Highland Cathedral. Originally performed by a combination of
pipe band and military band this arrangement reflects the Cathedral setting
using bells, pipes and full orchestration to combine the spiritual with the
scenic beauties of the Highlands.
* JDC Publications |
|
SCOTTISH ENTERTAINMENT DIRECT |
|
£10.99* |
 +44 (0)131 668 3366 |
| * P&P : A POSTAGE CHARGE APPLIES TO
ALL ORDERS |
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| CD
BARCODE: 722932059122 |
| CD
CAT.NO: RECD591 |
| DURATION: 52 MINS APPROX |
Many of the works are composed and arranged by the
late John Mason, MBE, the founder, principle conductor and musical director of
the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and for that there can be no better tribute than
to sit back, listen and enter into the spirit of this album. |
