I am listening to the newest recording by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Highlander’s Farewell, which is every bit as superb as their first two recordings they did, Fire & Grace and In the Moment. They are also superb on two tunes they did with Haugaard and Hoirup on Gaestebud recording which that Danish group released.
Our reviewer said of their work on this recording that ‘Scottish fiddler Fraser and American cellist Haas play two tune sets, one slow and one fast, with their hosts. The first pairs a stately traditional minuet that verges on the classical in its contrapuntal string trio of two violin parts and cello, with a serene Danish hymn, ‘Lysets Engel’, or angel of light. Together these are one of the most beautiful pieces of instrumental music I’ve heard this year, the minor-key minuet’s tension relieved by the hymn’s melodic lyricism. Truly transporting. The second set for these four is a hornpipe-reel set.’
Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser is a consummate performer. His dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland’s music have created a constant and international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles. Alasdair has been a major force behind the resurgence of traditional Scottish fiddling in his homeland and the U.S., inspiring legions of listeners and learners through his recordings, annual fiddle camps, and concerts. If I had to choose from his many, many fine recordings, I’d say that Dawn Dance is the one that I like the most, but you really cannot go wrong with any of his recordings.
Vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas is already a seasoned performer, recording artist, and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain, France, and throughout the U.S., including Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. She is also a member of Crooked Still, one of the best bluegrass tinged Ametican bands around today. I saw them play at One Longfellow Square and they were quite wonderful!
Which brings me to the point of this post which is that an evening concert with Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas playing is happening at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine on Monday, September 19th at eight o’clock!
One Longfellow Square is a charming, dynamic and intimate performance venue dedicated to producing interesting and exciting shows. The venue can accommodate film, theatre, dance, and, of course, music. But it really shines as a musical venue — acoustically perfect, small enough to allow performers to be one with the audience, and not a bad seat in the space from the viewpoint of appreciating whoever is performing!
It resides in the building formerly known as the Center for Cultural Exchange, which also put on some of the finest music one would hope to hear — when CCE operated the space, I saw Kalman Balogh’s Hungarian Gypsy Cimbalom Band there, as well as Swedish performers Frifot, Aly Bain and Ale Moller, Lunasa, Vasen, and Les Yeux Noirs, to name but some outstanding performances.
It is located conveniently on the corners of State and Congress Streets at the entrance to Portland’s Arts District. Of the many performance spaces in our city, it is my favorite, with only the Portland Stage Company’s main space being in the running also as a great performance space.
This is a concert that lovers of Scottish music and lovers of Classical music will want to attend as the artists definitely are adept in music that is both Scottish and Classical in sound which makes sense, given they are a duo of a fiddler and cellist.
For your listening pleasure, we have two selections by them for you. go here and then go thisaway to hear the other selection.
You can go here to order tickets by email now, and I’d recommend you do not hesitate as I’m sure this will be a sell-out!
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