Here were top representatives of the – in no particular order – Shetland, Scottish, Irish, American and Swedish bowed instrument traditions playing with accompanists and colleagues of long standing and producing music that, at once, showed a deep appreciation for and knowledge of those traditions and renewed and reinvigorated them in the moment.
Some – notably Shetlander Chris Stout in his inspirational partnership with harp player Catriona McKay and the superb American pairing of Darol Anger and mandolinist Mike Marshall – did this by extended improvisation.
Others did so by the sheer excitement, vitality and sensitivity that they bring to the music just by picking up their instruments.
The various partnerships’ durability can’t be without significance: Martin Hayes and guitarist Dennis Cahill string Irish tunes into tantalising suites as if sharing a brain. Equally, though, when all six components convened in an ad hoc ensemble that both highlighted individual characteristics – Vasen’s keening Scandinavian harmonies; Liz Carroll’s Chicago-Irish smeddum; Alasdair Fraser’s eloquent Scottish expression – in a virtuoso ping-pong sequence and united them all, the result was as potent as it was flavoursome.
Sponsored by Scottish Power.
Star rating: ****
