The American Folklife Center of The Library of Congress Homegrown Concerts Series, July 15, 2020
On July 15th, The American Folklife Center of The Library of Congress premiered an online video as part of its Homegrown Concerts Series – a marvelous concert in the Scottish tradition by fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas.
The event began with a live solo set from Mr. Fraser: a couple of adagio tunes (The Battles O’er and I am Tired) leading to a reel from one of the Scottish islands.
The following sets were, unfortunately, pre-recorded clips form the duo’s concerts. I say this was unfortunate only because I champion live-streaming; the music was terrific.
One song, Hamish Henderson’s The Freedom Come All Ye, is adapted from a World War I bagpipe tune, The Bloody Fields of Flanders. There were great passages in which the two instrument doubled, creating a sense of chiaroscuro.
In some songs, particularly the dance tunes in the third set, the cello droned beneath the lead of the fiddle, and sometimes these musical positions were reversed. Wonderful!
There were old 18th-century songs inspired by Robert Burns (without his verse) as well as new songs presumably written by one of the musicians, although this wasn’t always stated.
The highlight of the concert was Josefin’s Waltz, a subtle, contemporary Swedish andante). Mr. Fraser and Ms. Haas played each in their homes, apparently, presented on a split screen. It was beautiful performance, but I’m not sure this hi-tech technique should be encouraged.
Mr. Fraser has a grey or white beard (depending, apparently, on when the set was recorded); Ms. Haas, a generation younger, bows or plucks her cello, and sometimes taps the bow against the strings. He often closes his eyes when he plays; she is more engaged, and often looks at him. The duo have been touring internationally for 18 years.
You can watch this great concert here:
www.loc.gov/concerts/folklife/fraser-haas.html .
Author: Steve Capra
