"SCOTTISH FANTASIES"
by Rachel Barton Pine
In Scotland, the cross-fertilization between classical violin music
and traditional fiddle tunes began in the 18th century, more than
a hundred years before the pieces featured on this album were written.
Musical Societies which presented classical concerts flourished
throughout the country. Legendary fiddlers such as Robert Mackintosh,
William McGibbon, Charles McLean, and James Oswald were respected
also as classical performers and composers. The same violinists
who performed in a Handel Oratorio or a Corelli Concerto
Grosso one night might be playing for a dance the next evening.
Because fiddle players in Scotland had an unusually high rate of
musical literacy, their folk music, unlike that in other countries,
was often learned and transmitted in writing. As a result, hundreds
of printed and manuscript collections were created between the 1740s
and the end of the century.
Within these collections, baroque sonatas mingle with simple tunes
and their cello accompaniments. Some sonatas were Italian in style,
often with Scottish embellishments. Others were Scottish tunes transformed
into suites of baroque dance movements. Virtuoso variations on folk
tunes were yet another genre, giving Scottish fiddlers an opportunity
to demonstrate many of the innovative techniques being developed
by classical violinists on the continent.
Reciprocally, continental composers such as Geminiani, Veracini,
J.C. Bach, Haydn, Weber, Beethoven, Berlioz, Bruch, and Sarasate
arranged Scots tunes or incorporated them into their compositions.
Purcell and Brahms wrote imitation Scottish songs. Mendelssohn's
Symphony No. 3 ("Scottish") and Hebrides Overture
were inspired by a visit to Scotland, although those works' connection
to Scottish folk music is tenuous at best.
The best known classical violin piece based on Scottish fiddle
tunes comes from a German composer, Max Christian Friedrich Bruch
(1838-1920). He wrote the Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46 in Berlin
in 1879-80 at the request of the Spanish violin virtuoso Pablo de
Sarasate, to whom the work is dedicated. Although Bruch began conducting
in England in 1878, he did not make his first visit to Scotland
(Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh) until 1882, more than a year
after the Scottish Fantasy's premiere.
Bruch and Sarasate met in 1871 while both were returning from Zurich.
In 1877, Bruch conducted his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor,
Op. 26, with Sarasate as soloist. The public's response was
the most enthusiastic Bruch had ever received. Enraptured with Sarasate's
playing and wishing to compose something for him, Bruch quickly
wrote his Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 44. The two
musicians premiered it together in London in November of the same
year.
In 1879, Bruch wrote to pianist Otto Goldschmidt, "Yesterday,
when I thought vividly about Sarasate, the marvelous artistry of
his playing re-emerged in me. I was lifted anew and I was able to
write, in one night, almost half of the Scottish Fantasy
that has been so long in my head." Bruch asked Sarasate for
a meeting to collaborate on the new piece. Then, feeling that the
Spaniard was unresponsive, the easily offended Bruch turned
to Joseph Joachim for advice. Joachim premiered the piece in Liverpool
on February 22, 1881. According to Bruch, Joachim "annihilated
it" by performing with insufficient technique and a lack of
proper feeling. Two months later, Bruch reconciled with Sarasate.
Sarasate first performed the Scottish Fantasy on March 15,
1883, with the London Philharmonic in a memorial concert for Wagner.
His interpretations of the piece were among his most successful
performances. A few other violinists of the day, including American
Maud Powell, incorporated the Scottish Fantasy into their
touring repertoires. In the first half of the 20th century, however,
the work all but disappeared. Then, in 1947, it was recorded for
the first time. Jascha Heifetz's brilliant interpretation single-handedly
re-established the piece and renewed the public's affection for
it. Bruch's Scottish Fantasy is now a fixture in the repertoire
of most concert violinists.
The Scottish Fantasy's original title was Fantasie für
Violine mit Orchester und Harfe unter freier Benutzung schottischer
Volksmelodien ("Fantasy for Violin with Orchestra and Harp,
freely using Scottish folk melodies"). The role of the harp,
an instrument associated with Scotland's earliest traditional music,
is nearly as prominent as that of the violin soloist. The work's
dark and brooding Introduction was inspired by the writings
of Sir Walter Scott describing "an old bard contemplating the
ruins of a castle, and lamenting the glorious times of old."
Each of the Scottish Fantasy's four movements is based on
a different Scottish folk tune. Bruch found some of them in a copy
of Scottish Musical Museum by James Johnson (Edinburgh 1787-1789)
during a visit to the Munich Library in 1862.
The first movement, Adagio cantabile, comes from the popular
18th century tune, "Through the Wood Laddie," possibly
McGibbon's version. The original tune has a typical baroque flavor,
using the old pentatonic scale. Bruch transforms it into a lush,
romantic melody by employing double stops and the key of E-flat
major. This tune is often misidentified as "Auld Rob Morris,"
one of the traditional tunes Bruch arranged for voice and piano
in his Twelve Scottish Songs of 1863.
The second movement, Allegro, is based on "The Dusty
Miller," a lively, cheerful tune that first appeared in the
early 1700s. The entrance of the solo violin over a bagpipe-like
drone is marked Tanz (dance). "Through the Wood Laddie"
is revisited in the transition to the third movement. The main theme
of the Andante sostenuto, the emotional heart of the work,
is derived from the 19th century song, "I'm A' Doun for Lack
O' Johnnie." Bruch's beautiful voice-like treatment of the
solo violin's opening statement of the theme was no doubt informed
by his skill and experience in writing for singers.
The main theme of the Finale is the unofficial Scottish
national anthem, "Scots, Wha Hae," Robert Burns' tribute
to the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn. This ancient tune has taken on
many different titles and sets of lyrics, dating at least to the
15th century. Interestingly, Bruch sets the same tune in his Scottish
Songs, using an earlier set of lyrics and the accompanying title,
"Hei Tuti Teti." While the tunes used in the Scottish
Fantasy are not identified, the extroverted character of the
triple stops in the movement's opening and the marking Allegro
guerriero (fast and war-like) make a solid argument in favor
of "Scots, Wha Hae." Variations on this tune are interspersed
with a contrasting lyrical melody. After
one last appearance of a phrase from "Through the Wood Laddie,"
the Scottish Fantasy concludes triumphantly.
A stubborn anti-modernist, Bruch wrote of the "feeling, power,
originality, and beauty of folksong being a salvation in unmelodic
times." Although he also drew from Swedish, Russian, Welsh,
and Hebrew folk melodies for many compositions, he was particularly
fond of Scotland's music. He said that the Scots tunes "pulled
me into their magical circle" and that they were more beautiful
and original than folk tunes from Germany. He once wrote, "Whoever
bases a composition on folk melodies, his work can never become
old and wizened." Bruch claimed to know over 400 Scotch songs.
The following recollections from Mackenzie's autobiography, A
Musician's Narrative, published in 1927, are illustrative.
With him [Max Bruch] I conversed much and was sharply questioned
about the state of music in London . . . When he assured me of
his intense interest in Scottish folksong, saying "Es
hat mich eigentlich zum komponieren veranlasst" (It really
incited me to compose), I hardly realized how much truth the statement
contained until I heard the once popular prelude to his own Lorelei.
A prominent subject in that piece consists of four bars of the
second part of "Lochaber no more." As a wide distance
separates the Rhine and the Highland moor, the connexion seems
a remote one.
And the opening bars of the often sung Ave Maria in Das Feuerkreuz
are clearly recognizable as our old song, "Will ye gang to
the ewebuchts, Marion." . . .
Apart from his great ability as a conductor, the impression created
by Bruch's personality upon me was that of a highly-cultured,
musically-gifted man, somewhat cynical of speech and brusque of
manner.
It is commonly believed that the greatest work for violin and orchestra
based on Scottish folk melodies was written by Bruch, a non-Scot.
However, Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie's (1847-1935) Pibroch
Suite might easily be considered its equal. And yet, this masterpiece
by an important composer is virtually unknown - in Scotland and
in the rest of the world. Perhaps its neglect can be attributed
to the Scots' notorious dismissal of their own composers, especially
when comparing them to England's.
Nevertheless, Mackenzie is recognized as one of the greatest British
composers of his time. His extensive output includes many operas,
oratorios, orchestral works, chamber music, and instrumental compositions,
including many for violin. Franz Liszt, Hans von Bülow, and
Sir Edward Elgar were among his many fans and supporters. After
playing the
violin at the premiere of one of Mackenzie's cantatas, Elgar declared
that meeting Mackenzie was the event of his musical life.
Like his father and grandfather before him, Mackenzie started out
as a violinist and Scots fiddler. Although he played in the violin
sections of local orchestras, he did not want to remain a professional
violinist. The limited music scene in Scotland led to his studying
in Germany and traveling to London to extend his career. He began
composing while in his early teens and was composing fulltime by
age 32.
"I realized that, following in my parent's footsteps, a careful
study of our national music would be the shortest, indeed the only
way to win any degree of popularity at the start," Mackenzie
states in his autobiography. "On my own inclinations no tax
was needed, for its touching verse and melody always had a fascinating
hold upon me, and the results of the preparation soon justified
the resolve." Thus, like his three Scottish Rhapsodies for
Orchestra and his Scottish Concerto for Piano (written
for Paderewski), many of Mackenzie's compositions have a programmatic
or nationalistic character.
He compiled and arranged Scots tunes for published collections,
and even composed original tunes. "A tune of my own, evidently
so racy of the soil as to have been accepted as a genuine antique
of long forgotten parentage, was innocently reproduced as such,
and for some years I have enjoyed the pleasure of hearing myself
played and whistled 'incog.'"
In 1888, Mackenzie became Principal of the Royal Academy of Music.
During his 36-year tenure, he co-founded the Associated Board of
the Royal Schools of Music, and was active as a conductor, teacher,
and lecturer.
Mackenzie began his Violin Concerto in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 32,
in 1884. It was to be performed at the 1885 Birmingham Festival
with Joachim as soloist. Because the work was written with Joachim
in mind, its character is decidedly Germanic. At the last minute,
Joachim backed out, possibly because of his ongoing divorce proceedings.
Sarasate agreed to take on the challenge, even though he and Mackenzie
had only met in passing after an 1881 concert in London.
Sarasate enjoyed Mackenzie's concerto and performed it often. After
successful concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1885, he asked Mackenzie
to write a piece for violin and orchestra that had the flavor of
the composer's native country. The Pibroch Suite, Op. 42 was
dedicated to Sarasate, who premiered it at the Leeds Festival in
1889under the composer's baton. Sarasate subsequently performed
the Pibroch Suite on tour throughout Europe, America, and
Mexico. Mackenzie also dedicated his Highland Ballad, Op. 47,
No. 1, to Sarasate in 1893.
In his autobiography, Mackenzie affectionately describes his "dear
friend" Sarasate and the first performance of the Pibroch
Suite:
To know Sarasate was to love a simple-minded, unaffectedly modest
and generous artist. There cannot be many with a greater claim
to speak of his gifts and character, for I enjoyed an intimacy
which revealed the estimable qualities of the musician and man.
Easily pleased as a child, in spite of all temptations quite
free from vanity, living for his violin alone, he disliked "Society,"
and his joy was to entertain a circle of congenial friends and
compatriots; the more the merrier.
A very much more cultured musician than some of those who dubbed
him "Prima Donna" were capable of judging, his favourite
recreation was chamber music and quartet playing; but, aware of
limitations and his own métier, these pleasures were mostly
reserved for private enjoyment. In my opinion, Sarasate left a
deeper mark upon violin playing than any other performer of his
day.
The more laboured style of the North German school at times provoked
gentle ridicule from one whose outstanding qualities were an entire
absence of effort, a fascinating natural grace, and unfailing
certitude of intonation. . . . An opportunity of realizing the
phenomenal ease with which all this was achieved was mine when,
at his invitation, we enjoyed a fortnight's companionship at Frankfort,
where he introduced my Pibroch to Germany under the composer's
direction. Occupying a couple of bedrooms leading to a circular
sitting-room, we were so constantly together that there could
be no question of practice without my knowledge. During the two
weeks his violin-case was only opened twice: once to put on a
new E string before leaving for rehearsal, and again to assure
himself that all was well on the evening of the performance. Five
minutes sufficed on each occasion; serious study and practice
were confined to the leisure of his summer holidays at San Sebastian.
A method not to be recommended for adoption by less agile-fingered
instrumentalists.
Mackenzie had related this story previously as part of his eloquent
tribute to his recently deceased friend in The Musical Times
in November, 1908. Also included in that article is a quote from
a letter Sarasate wrote a few days before the Pibroch Suite's
premiere.
I was pleased to show myself on this occasion a true-blooded
Scot - with the exception of costume - and to prove that your
national music is some of the most beautiful and poetic that exists
in the world: you know that I'm a great fan.
The first movement of the Pibroch Suite, Rhapsody, has a
free-form style. While not quite a full-fledged movement in its
own right, it is more substantive than just an extended introduction.
After two cadenza-like statements from the soloist, the main theme
first appears, accompanied by a harp. This Celtic-flavored melody
of Mackenzie's own creation could almost be a traditional fiddle
tune until it flows into an obviously 19th century
world of harmony. The structure and orchestral colors of this movement
create a world of sound very similar to the opening of Bruch's Scottish
Fantasy, but Mackenzie uses many more "gaelicisms,"
such as Scotch snaps and turns, in his original material.
The second movement, Caprice, is an introduction, theme,
and variations on the traditional tune, "There's Three Good
Fellows Down in Yon Glen." This tune appeared in printed collections
from the 1740s by McGibbon, Oswald, and others. Melodic interludes
are inserted after variation 6 and the final variation 9. The movement
ends with an unaccompanied cadenza that leads into the last movement.
At first glance, it would appear that the Caprice accounts
for the work's title, Pibroch. The repertoire of the Great
Highland bagpipe is divided into two categories: ceòl
beag ("small music"), which includes lighter airs
and dance music, and ceòl mór ("large
music"), also called pìobaireachd ("piping").
Pìobaireachds are a ceremonial form often written
to celebrate or lament events such as a battle or the death of a
hero. After beginning with a painstakingly slow statement of the
theme or ùrlar ("ground"), an extended set
of variations build upon one another, not unlike today's minimalist
music. The work ends with a repetition of the ùrlar, which
may also appear as a reference point once or twice throughout the
piece. Pìobaireachd is an acquired taste, and listeners
and performers who truly appreciate it describe the experience as
being almost spiritual.
There are some key differences between Mackenzie's Caprice
and a real pìobaireachd. "There's Three Good
Fellows..." is a charming tune, but clearly in the ceòl
beag category. Each variation has its own separate character.
Together they form a typical 19th century showcase of a virtuoso's
catalogue of pyrotechnical tricks (false harmonics, arpeggios, playing
on the G string alone, fingered octaves, left-hand pizzicato, etc.).
The slower melodic interludes are reminiscent of appearances of
the ùrlar, but the melody is entirely different from
that of the variations.
In his autobiography, Mackenzie writes, "Years ago a Highland
piper at Blair Athol enlightened my ignorance by describing a pibroch
as 'Juist a sumphony, Surr.' Not far wrong." It is doubtful
that Mackenzie titled his Pibroch Suite in error. Rather,
the title was probably in homage to the bagpipe's "classical"
music, not a description of his own composition's architecture.
The short, flashy last movement, Dance, incorporates two
traditional tunes. The major-key "Leslie's Lilt" is from
the Skene manuscript (c.1625), which Mackenzie knew through its
publication in Dauney's Ancient Scottish Melodies. The contrasting
minor-key tune, "The Humours of [the] Glen," appeared
in many notable 18th century collections such as the Flores Musicæ
and fiddler Neil Gow's Complete Repository. The two brief
moments of slow melody towards the end of the movement are taken
from the B section of this tune.
Pablo Martín Melitón de Sarasate y Navascuéz
(1844-1908) was a Spanish violin virtuoso and composer trained at
the Paris Conservatoire. One of the greatest soloists of his era,
he was renowned for his facile technique, pure tone, and impeccable
phrasing. He inclined towards the lighter virtuoso repertoire. This
leaning is also reflected in his own compositions, which include
many Spanish dances, opera fantasies, and early pieces in the French
style. His Airs écossais, Op. 34 could be grouped
with his more famous foray into the arranging of fiddle tunes, Ziguenerweisen,
Op. 20 (Gypsy Airs).
Many composers were inspired by Sarasate's playing and dedicated
works to him. Among these were Bruch, Mackenzie, Saint-Saëns
(Concertos Nos. 1 and 3; Introduction et Rondo capriccioso),
Lalo (Concerto in F Minor and Symphonie espagnole), Joachim
(Variations for Violin and Orchestra), Wieniawski (Concerto
No. 2), and Dvorák (Mazurek). Scott Skinner, the
greatest Scottish fiddler of the time, dedicated his virtuoso piece
for violin and piano entitled Will O' the Wisp to "the
eminent violinist." It is not known whether Sarasate and Skinner
ever met.
Sarasate spent a significant amount of his career touring in Great
Britain, where he was very popular and successful. In December 1893,
he performed in Glasgow and at Balmoral Castle at the invitation
of Queen Victoria. Upon returning to London, he starting writing
Airs écossais, and continued to work on it in Paris
during Christmas. For the orchestration, he consulted with Mackenzie.
The work's premiere in London's St. James Hall on May 28, 1894,
generated one of the most enthusiastic responses
Sarasate had ever received. He dedicated Airs écossais
to the great Belgian violinist and composer, Eugène Ysaÿe.
Unlike the more serious Scottish Fantasy and Pibroch
Suite, Airs écossais is an unapologetic virtuoso showpiece.
The orchestration displays great skill and taste, but unlike Bruch
and Mackenzie, Sarasate relegates the orchestra to a purely accompanying
role.
The piece is a medley of six traditional tunes. The first, a march,
remains unidentified despite efforts to discover its source. (If
you are able to "name that tune," please let me know.)
Next, Sarasate uses "Bog of Gight," also known as "Lady
Augusta Murray's Strathspey." In this section, he stretches
virtuoso pyrotechnics to their utmost. A quick run through the B
section of the reel "The Mason's Apron" is followed by
a brief, unaccompanied cadenza. The next slow, minor-key air is
"(Oh) Open the Door, Lord Gregory." The final two tunes
are jigs: "Johnny McGill" or "Come Under My Plaidie"
(also known by many other names) and "The New Water Kettle."
This last tune appears only in Gow's Complete Repository
among the 18th century collections. The Repository's inclusion
of two of the other tunes in the same order as they appear in Sarasate's
medley suggests that Gow must have been one of Sarasate's sources.
Sarasate's wickedly difficult pyrotechnics continue to the end.
Sarasate also wrote a version of Airs écossais for
violin and piano. This is the first recording of his version for
violin and orchestra.
Sir John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948), who succeeded Mackenzie
as Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, is considered one of
the finest Scottish composers of the 20th century. In addition to
orchestral works, nineteen string quartets, seven sonatas for violin
and piano, and many works for solo piano, he also authored several
books on harmony, aesthetics, and performance. His organic style
melds influences of Scottish folk music, late romanticism, and impressionism.
Lacking opportunities to have his larger works performed, he devoted
his later life to writing chamber music. A co-founder of the Society
of British Composers, he left his estate to Glasgow University to
fund the commissioning and promotion of Scottish chamber music.
McEwen's Prince Charlie Rhapsody for Violin and Piano was
written in 1915 and published in 1924. When McEwen orchestrated
the work in 1941, he added a lengthy cadenza. The orchestral score
exists only in manuscript and without any orchestra parts. A very
private man, McEwen wrote very little about his music or his thoughts.
Therefore, one can only guess why he chose to orchestrate this piece
without the motivation of a commission or an opportunity to present
it in concert. The orchestration is appealing and imaginative, but
it is likely that McEwen would have made some practical alterations
had he heard the piece played. This recording marks the first performance
of the 1941 version.
The Rhapsody takes its name from Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles
Edward Stuart), who led a Scottish Highland army in the doomed rebellion
of 1745. The subject of numerous traditional tunes, Prince Charlie
remains a heroic and romantic figure to present-day Scots. McEwen's
work uses three of these tunes: "Charlie is My Darling,"
"Wae's me for Prince Charlie" (or "Charles Lilt,"
"The Gypsy Laddie," "Johnnie Faa," etc.), and
"Hey Johnny Cope." All appear in various 18th century
collections; the second tune is also included in the earlier Skene
manuscript. Sir John Cope, the subject of the last famous satirical
song, was among the first to flee when his forces were overpowered
by the Jacobites in the battle of Prestonpans.
The Prince Charlie Rhapsody opens with an extended introduction,
with the solo violin utilizing the old Scottish pentatonic scale
over a drone in the orchestra.
Shortened versions of this introduction return between each tune
and at the very end of the piece.
The violin and fiddle parts of the Medley of Scots Tunes
were arranged for this recording in 2004 by Alasdair Fraser and
Rachel Barton Pine; the orchestration was composed by Rachel
Barton Pine. The medley begins with a slow air, "Lament of
Flora MacDonald." Flora MacDonald was imprisoned in the Tower
of London after smuggling Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety on the
Isle of Skye, dressed as a woman. This beautiful song is played
first by Alasdair, then by Rachel with Alasdair playing descant,
and then by a woodwind quartet. The bassoon's bass line is taken
from the cello accompaniment by Neil Gow. The next tune is "The
Waukin of the Fauld," a strathspey in which the melody is passed
among the soloists and various instruments of the orchestra. A minor-key
reel, "Miss Lyall or Mrs. Grant of Laggan," gives each
soloist a brief moment of improvisation over an orchestral vamp.
It serves as a bridge into the final major-key reel, "Timour
the Tartar."
Artistic Quality 10/10 Sound Quality
"Everything about this release by violinist Rachel Barton Pine is exceptional, from the selection of couplings to the performances themselves... In sum, this collaboration between Pine, Fraser, Platt, and the SCO is a triumph on all counts, a model of what a themed release ought to be, and it's all captured in demonstration-quality sound by Cedille's engineers. Without a doubt, this is one of the smartest and most purely lovable releases of the year."
Classics Today.com
"Heifetz set a very high standard in [the Bruch Scottish Fantasy], and so did the young Michael Rabin and Kyung-Wha Chung, but neither brought to it the sheer excitement that Pine’s version generates… Pine’s exceptional performance should breathe new life into the piece even for those who think that Heifetz has spoken the first, the second, and the last words on the subject. Most urgently recommended. Scots, wha hae!"
Fanfare
"Rachel Barton Pine really may be the most charismatic, the most virtuosic, and the most compelling American violinist of her generation. Her recordings from Handel through Brahms have been sweet-toned, strong-willed, and deeply affecting and with this two-disc set called Scottish Fantasies, Pine has once again turned in a completely convincing recording. Her performance of Bruch's very well-known "Scottish Fantasy" is warm-hearted and delightfully nostalgic. Her performance of Sarasate's fairly well-known "Airs ecossais" is superbly played and incredibly impressive. Her performances of Mackenzie's nearly unknown "Pibiroch Suite" and McEwen's previously unrecorded "Scottish Rhapsody Prince Charlie" are superlatively played and wonderfully touching. And her performance of a duet with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser is twice as well played and absolutely irresistible."
All Music Guide
"I have not been this enthusiastic about a violinist since my high school days when my musically knowledgeable uncle slipped me a clutch of dreadful sounding pirate LPs recorded by David Oistrakh when he was at the pinnacle of his prime. In this case, however, the sound is stunning, Pine has technique to burn, both she and her conductor have an uncanny ability to get to the idiomatic heart of the music, and the choice of repertory is revelatory."
Fanfare
"From the moment Pine steals quietly in during the introduction to the Scottish Fantasy you know that this is going to be worlds away from the Heifetz, Oistrakh and Perlman classics. Pine sounds completely uninterested in macho displays of well-upholstered tone but prefers to play the work as the relatively small voice of the wandering poet, with a ravishing, Ferras-like, jeweled purity… Pine’s sublimely musical playing makes [the McEwen] sound like a neglected masterpiece, while her own Medley of Scots Tunes ensures the disc goes out on an exhilarating high… This is another sure-fire winner from Pine."
The Strad
"Rachel Barton Pine from Chicago (whose recent Brahms and Joachim concertos I admired) plays [Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy] with great warmth and authority… Her technique is very impressive (hear her flawless double octaves and left-hand pizzicati in the devilish Sarasate), but the strength of her commitment is what really makes this a rather special set."
BBC Music Magazine
"If you are among those people who are devoted to the violin and a follower of the young virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine then you will be delighted with her new two CD album… Pine takes each piece and gives it an authentic Scottish sound, and the result is something you may never have heard before… The entrance of the solo violin grabs the attention instantly; her brilliantly fresh approach to the [Bruch] pays off handsomely… You could be forgiven for thinking that there is a genuine highland fiddler sitting on Ms Pine’s shoulder, the [Sarasate] is performed with dazzling virtuosity… Mackenzie’s “Pibroch Suite” [is] a really fascinating work again of Scottish origin and beautifully performed by Rachel Barton Pine. Do not be surprised if you imagine that you can actually smell the heather… [Pine and Fraser] gel together to produce a work of such hair raising excitement as if they had been playing this type of music all their lives. The work’s whiskey fumed explosive finale will carry you off on a cloud until finally you find yourself in a world of Scottish Magic from which you may not wish to return."
Mouvement Nouveau
"Like Pine's previous efforts, this is an unusually thoughtful and thought-provoking release, the excellent performances augmented by Pine's thorough program notes."
Barnes&Noble.com
"Rachel Barton Pine should earn a medal not only for bringing to light these wonderful works saturated with Scottish folk songs, or for having played them for a hopefully large listening audience. Her ambition and the meticulousness with which she has conducted her thorough study of source materials accompanies the intensity of violin playing which really turns these recordings into a small sensation… It is the penetration of the material by means of technical brilliance and deep insight into the compositions presented in logically phrased great arcs, but also in the detail work with intricate, marked execution of the arcs… Pine never places her virtuosity in the foreground, rather, melts with the outstanding Scottish Chamber Orchestra to exactly that oneness which leads musical interpretation to perfection… Two whimsical discs with the best music, interpreted in the best way. Recommended."
klassik.com
"Violinist Rachel Barton Pine continues her string of superb recordings for the Cedille label… Pine’s sterling virtuosity and personality-plus playing provide consistent pleasure."
Sun-Sentinel (Florida)
"The second disc closes with a Medley of Scots Tunes which has Pine and Fraser playing together, two different yet completely compatible and sympathetic voices. This all-too-short collaboration finishes with a couple of exhilarating reels. They are the highlight, and perhaps the whole point, of this wonderful release."
The Absolute Sound
"Scottish Fantasies is an engaging collection of rhapsodies for violin and orchestra performed by one of our favorite ladies in the world of classical music, Rachel Barton Pine… Together as performers, Pine and Fraser bring down the house with the last piece as a rousing finale. The Spaniard Pablo de Sarasate is heard in this program in his Airs écossaises (Scottish Airs), a medley of six traditional tunes that stretches violin pyrotechnics to their limit. Rachel Barton Pine relishes the challenges of this short virtuoso piece, as fiendishly difficult to play as it is a joy to hear… As Pine plays [Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy], it's almost too dreamily sentimental for words - and I love it! The finale, based on the patriotic tune "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled" is given a rousing treatment, in which the violinist takes Bruch's redoubtable triple stops in her stride. Smashing!"
Atlanta Audio Society
Artistry 10/ Sound 10/ Overall Impression 10
"The moving American violinist Rachel Barton Pine places Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy in a context previously given little consideration… Pine secured the support of the renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, who not only identified the underlying melodies but also introduced the violinist to the traditional manner of playing, which gave her rendition of the Bruch Fantasy an uncommonly fresh, authentic “Scottish flavor”."
klassik-heute.de
