Masters of the Tradition Vol 2

It has been thirteen years since Muriel released the original Masters of the Tradition CD. When attempting a sequel to a popular work an artist will often wonder if the new one will measure up to the promise of the original. There are no worries here. This Volume 2 gives up no ground whatsoever. The repertoire that Muriel chose is an amalgam of both familiar and less well-known pieces. We are re-introduced to old friends and get to meet interesting new acquaintances. Likewise, the arrangements are a contrast of the originals dutifully taken from the manuscripts of the day (the Minuets on track 6, as an example) to interpretations that take advantage of contemporary instruments and tastes (The Piper’s Weird on track 5). For those of us who are entranced by the lift and flight that Muriel imparts to the reels, jigs and strathspeys that we dance to (of which there are many here), it is a treat to be reminded of her artistry in the slow strathspeys, airs, and laments on this CD. Not all music is about the dance but almost all music is about movement and movement abounds here. Unhurried, reflective and brilliant, it will transport you to the drawing rooms of 18th Century Edinburgh and beyond. The CD starts off with the slow strathspey Miss Campbell of Saddell played with a stateliness and grace that does the lady and the composer, Robert Macintosh, great credit. Muriel lets the silences ring out and allows us to appreciate the beautiful phrasing. The set continues with Miss Ogilvie’s Fancy, well known to dancers, and the less familiar Robertson’s Hornpipe. Close on its heels in track 2 is a beautiful slow rendering of Mrs. Jamieson’s Favourite, which is also a great favorite of mine, followed by a trio of jigs by Charles Grant, a pupil of William Marshall. Here is flight. And on track 5, getting back to The Piper’s Weird, we are treated to an innovative arrangement of Scott Skinner’s masterpiece. The sweet tones of the Bosendorfer are accompanied by synthesizer to produce a full ensemble sound. I find it fitting that, as Muriel has spent a lot of time providing support for her fiddling colleagues’ playing of the melody, in this track the melodic line on the piano is accompanied by a backup ensemble of synthesized fiddles and bass. Track 3 is a musical tribute to Mrs. Oswald of Auchencruive. This lady had obviously drawn the admiration of both Robert Macintosh and Nathaniel Gow. Mackintosh was greatly influenced by the Baroque musical fashions of the day, as was Nathaniel, and this set celebrates the fusion of the Baroque and Scots genres. The last tune, Mrs. Oswald’s Favourite Reel is one of the greatest jigs ever written and Muriel does it more than justice here. The rest of the CD contains a great selection of very danceable tunes that are equally enjoyable and is surely required listening for anyone with a taste for great music, whether you are Scottish or not. The technical production is equally superb and a great credit to her husband, and engineer, Bill Zobel. Calum MacKinnon