In 18th century Scotland, the boundaries between "art"
music and the"people’s" music were
less distinct than today. The same musicians who performed
for the lords and ladies in their castles also played
in the townhalls for dances. Ferintosh’s unique
musical focus transcends modern distinctions between
"classical" and "folk" music.
Their dynamic arrangements unleash both the subtle
beauty and primal energy of this historic music.
Their sound combines the soulfulness and energy of traditional Scottish music with the precision and nuance of Baroque music.
About the Artists
All three musicians have been featured on NPR's Thistle & Shamrock. Robertson
has a dozen CDs to her credit, including two on the
Narada label. Risk has released several solo and ensemble recordings, with her debut CD "Celtic Dialogue" named Boston Globes Top Ten CDs of 1999. In addition to her 2 solo CDs, Newton has recorded and produced numerous recordings to critical acclaim both in the US and the UK.
FERINTOSH presents vibrant renditions of the music
that kings and tradesmen alike heard in centuries
past, from poignant aires to high spirited strathspeys
and reels.
According to
the Scots dictionary, "Ferintosh"was the name of a widely appreciated whisky
distilled at Ferintosh, Ross in the eighteenth century.
The word remained in use until the early twentieth century
to refer to whisky in general. In addition, the name
refers to a town in the Black Isle of Scotland and a
well know Strathspey (a type of Scottish dance tune).
The tune is featured the FERINTOSH debut CD.
Abby Newton is well known for her groundbreaking work in the revival of the cello in American and Scottish traditional music. In the the mid-seventies, she began performing with John Cohen and Jay Ungar in the Putnam String County Band, making it the first modern string band with a cello. At the same time, she began an active and continuing recording career. She has produced and performed on over a hundred folk recordings including 16 CDs with Scottish singer, Jean Redpath. Abby's solo CDs "Crossing to Scotland" (1997) and "Castles, Kirks, and Caves" (2001), have earned her critical acclaim both in the US and abroad. She has appeared on Prairie Home Companion and in 2001, Fiona Ritchie, of the nationally syndicated NPR show Thistle and Shamrock, did a feature program on Abby’s music and her influence on the folk cello movement.
In addition to many workshops conducted in Scotland promoting the use of the cello as both a melodic and rhythmic instrument in traditional music, Abby has taught in the US at Gaelic Roots, the National Strings Workshop, the Swannanoa Gathering and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. Mel Bay published her first collection of Celtic tunes for cello and the second is in the works. The combination of her teaching, performing and publishing have inspired many amateurs and professionals to play traditional music on the cello. |
Laura Risk grew up in the thriving San Francisco
Scottish fiddle scene, learning her craft from master fiddler Alasdair
Fraser. Recognized for her expressive, versatile playing and her unusual
interpretations of traditional Scottish and Québecois tunes, Laura has
performed and taught across North America, the United Kingdom, and New
Zealand. In addition to her work with Ferintosh, she currently performs
as a soloist and with Triptych and Greenfire. She has also toured with
Ensemble Galilei, the John Whelan Band, and Québecosse.
Now living in Montreal, Laura has over ten albums to her credit, including her latest release
2000 Miles, which offers a distinctly Québécois take on classic Scottish
fiddle tunes. Her debut album Celtic Dialogue was named one of the
Boston Globes "Top Ten CDs of 1999. Laura is a co-author of The
Glengarry Collection: The Highland Fiddle Music of Aonghas Grant, which
will be published by Mel Bay in late 2008. She also taught fiddling for
five years at Wellesley College, where she founded the colleges first
Celtic music ensemble. |
Kim
Robertson is a renowned performer and instructor
who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new
generation of performers and audiences. As a pioneer
in the N. American folk harp movement, she combines
an improvisational spirit with a passionate sense of
tradition, bringing a contemporary touch to a centuries'
old instrument.
Born in Wisconsin, she is classically trained on piano
and orchestral harp. In the mid-70's, Kim's discovery
of the Celtic harp grew into a profound love for the
instrument, setting her upon the path of exploration
for which she is now widely known. She tours throughout
the USA, Canada and Europe, and is recognized as one
of the most popular lever harpists performing today.
Her work encompasses over 20 album projects, 11 volumes
of published harp arrangements, three instructional
videos and an international itinerary workshops and
retreats. Her latest releases are "Dance to Your
Shadow" (Narada) and "Searching for Lambs"
(Gourd). |
Guest
Dancer: Sabra MacGillivray is a
champion highland dancer, step dancer, choreographer
and percussionist. Featured on many Nova Scotia tourism
commercials and television specials, Sabra MacGillivray
is one of the Atlantic region's leading ambassadors
of Highland and Scottish step dancing.
A dance instructor as well as a choreographer, Sabra
is also a member of the award-winning group, the Macquarrie
Dancers. With her cutting-edge choreography and breathtaking
performances, Sabra adds an exhilarating visual and
rhythmic dimension to the music of Ferintosh. |
