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From
the first plaintive notes calling forth through Rideout's emotional fiddle
rendition of "Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel" to the last stirring chorus of
Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne," an outstanding troupe of Celtic
musicians presents a lively program, weaving the many moods of A Scottish
Christmas. This collection of traditional Scottish carols, wassail tunes,
and dance music associated with the celebration of Christmas, Hogmanay (Scottish
New Year's Eve), and the New Year includes such favorites as"Greensleeves",
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and "Adeste Fideles". Gaelic
songs and hymns popular before The Reformation such as "Rorate" and
"Baloo Lammy" offer reflection into the gentler moods of Christmas,
while jigs and reels such as "From the Bottom of the Punchbowl" and
"Ale is Dear" bring out the merry spirits of the season. This
delightful show is presented by some of the most legendary Celtic musicians from
both North America and Scotland, blending the sounds of the fiddle, bagpipes,
uilleann pipes, border pipes, clarsach (Celtic harp), bodhran (Celtic frame
drum), guitar and voice. Traditional dancers add grace and excitement to this
elegant program.
BMG
has captured the extraordinary live moments of A Scottish Christmas on a
new DVD released in September 2001, already garnering popular reviews from
critics. After premiering on CBS-TV's SUNDAY MORNING and on NPR's PERFORMANCE
TODAY, A Scottish Christmas has consistently sold out concert halls for
five consecutive seasons. This immensely successful national touring show began
with the blockbuster album by the same name, which rocketed into the NEW YORK
TIMES "Top Holiday Picks" list in 1996, and has continued to be a
national holiday best-seller for five years.
On
stages, from Scotland's Edinburgh International Festival to America's Kennedy
Center, Bonnie Rideout's unique style of
traditional Scottish fiddling has charmed audiences with her expansive knowledge
of dance tunes, bagpipe marches, and ancient Gaelic melodies each reflecting the
rich musical tradition of her heritage. From the earliest known strathspey
to a newly composed lament in the Highland style, her repertoire is accented
with the colorful gifts of storytelling, mouth- music, and song. This three-time
U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion is consistently featured on NPR's, THE THISTLE AND
SHAMROCK, MORNING EDITION and PERFORMANCE TODAY. As a result of her prolific
career in the performance, music publishing, and recording industries, Ms.
Rideout has been selected by the Mel Bay Publishing Company as one of America's
most influential fiddlers of the twentieth century.
DVDs
and CDs available at BMG.
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