Into The Music

Meet fine players drawn from afar to make a life in Scottish music. Martin Green, an English accordionist touring the world in a leading Scottish band, tells of the warm embrace of that musical culture and, in Australia, violinist Chris Duncan and pianist Catherine Strutt explore the characteristic techniques and dancing delights of the Scottish fiddle and piano tradition.

From England to Scotland - Martin Green

How is it that an English musician ends up as one of the leading players in Scottish roots music? Born in Sheffield and brought up in Cambridge, accordionist Martin Green tells of his personal and musical border-crossings and why he feels right at home in the musical life of Scotland. We'll meet some of Martin's Scottish friends and musical colleagues, including his bandmates in the Scottish trio called Lau, winner of Best Group at the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Produced by
Rachel Hopkin, A Falling Tree Production for the BBC

AND

A Dropkick, a Scrunchy and Other Tips for Scottish Fiddlers

Fiddler Chris Duncan and pianist Catherine Strutt are leading Australian players of Scottish music, in a long partnership that's revelled in the discipline of playing for dances as well as much-acclaimed work as recording and concert artists. In a congenial exchange recorded at this year's Fairbridge Festival, Robyn Johnston finds out about Scottish fiddle traditions and techniques (including the dropkick, the scrunchy and the handy trick that lets you play day and night at a Scottish wedding without wearing out your bow arm). We'll also hear how Scotland's regional cultures are reflected in its fiddle music and sample the work of some of the great Scottish composers.

Produced by
Robyn Johnston and David Le May

Sound engineer
David Le May

Music details for From England to Scotland - Martin Green

Track title: Freeborn Man
Composer not shown
Performers: Lau
Label and number: Reveal Records Reveal 17
CD title: Lau - Lightweights and Gentlemen
Duration: 1.55

Track title: Hinba
Composer not shown
Performers: Lau
Label and number: Reveal Records Reveal 17
CD title: Lau - Lightweights and Gentlemen
Duration: 2.50

Unidentified folk jazz piece
Duration: 1.26

Unidentified folk piece
Duration: 39

Track title: Blow
Composer not shown
Performers: John Rae's Celtic Feet
CD title: John Rae's Celtic Feet
Label: Caber
CD number not shown
Duration: 1.11

Music details for A Dropkick, a Scrunchy and Other Tips for Scottish Fiddlers

Track title: Madam Frederick (from Angus Campbell Set)
Composer: William Marshall
Performer: Chris Duncan, fiddle
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 1.35

Track title: Madam Frederick (from Angus Campbell Set)
Composer: William Marshall
Performer: Chris Duncan, fiddle
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 39

Track title: The Red House (from Walshe's Country Dances, 1731)
Composer unknown
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Julian Thompson, cello
CD title: Chris Duncan, Catherine Strutt, Julian Thompson - The Red House The Heritage of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 476 8036
Duration: 48

Track title: Millhills
Composer: James Scott Skinner
Perfomers: Hector MacAndrew, fiddle and Sandy Edmonstone, piano, recorded in Aberdeenshire in 1973
CD title: Scottish Tradition 20 - The Carrying Stream
P and C Greentrax Recordings
CDTRAX9020
Duration: 38

Track title: Millhills
Composer: James Scott Skinner
Perfomers: Hector MacAndrew, fiddle and Sandy Edmonstone, piano, recorded in Aberdeenshire in 1973
CD title: Scottish Tradition 20 - The Carrying Stream
P and C Greentrax Recordings
CDTRAX 9020
Duration: 45

Track title: Miss Mariane Oliphant
Composer: Robert Mackintosh
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Catherine Strutt, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan, Catherine Strutt, Julian Thompson - The Red House The Heritage of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 476 8036
Duration: 2.08

Track title: Suidhidh sinn a bhain gu socair (We will sit down at ease)
Composer not shown
Singer: Christine Shaw
CD title: Scottish Tradition 2 - Music from the Western Isles
P and C Greentrax Records
CDTRAX 9002
Duration: 37

Track title: Sands of Murness
Composer: F. Jamison
Performers: Alasdair Fraser, fiddle, Bobby Brown or Kathy Fraser, piano
CD title: Alasdair Fraser - Portrait of a Scottish Fiddler
P and C Culburnie Records
CUL009D
Duration: 43

Track title: Catch and Kiss the Romp
Composer unknown - from the Simon Fraser Collection
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Catherine Strutt, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 35

Track title: Doctor MacInnes' Fancy
Composer: D. MacLeod
Performer: Pipe Sergeant Gordon J. Walker
Publisher: Isa Music MCPS
CD title: The Rough Guide to Scottish Music
C World Music Network
RGNET 1110 CD
Duration: 45

Track title: What Care I for the Minister
Composer unknown - from the Simon Fraser Collection
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Catherine Strutt, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 1'10

Track title: Piping Imitation
Traditional, arranged Elizabeth White
Singer: Elizabeth White, recorded in Aberdeenshire in 1953
CD title: Celtic Mouth Music
P and C Ellipsis Arts
Ellipsis CD4070
Duration: 34

Track title: Puirt Medley
Traditional, arranged Finlay Maclean
Performer: Finlay Maclean, voice and fiddle, recorded in Inverness in 1953
CD title: Celtic Mouth Music
P and C Ellipsis Arts
Ellipsis CD4070
Duration: 16

Track title: Nathaniel Gow's Lament on the Death of his Brother
Composer: Nathaniel Gow, from Niel Gow & Sons 3rd Collection of Strathspey Reels 1792
Performer: Chris Duncan, fiddle
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration 53

Track title: Aberdeen Alternative
Composer: Alasdair Fraser
Performers: Alasdair Fraser, fiddle and Natalie Haas, cello
CD title: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas - In the Moment
P and C Culburnie Records
CUL122
Duration: 50

Track title: The East Neuk o'fife
Composer unknown, from the James Oswald's 1752 Collection, arranged James Scott Skinner
Performers: James Scott Skinner, fiddle, unknown pianist
CD title: James Scott Skinner - The Strathspey King
P and C Temple Records
COMD2084
Duration: 1.16

Track title: Bonnie Lass o'Bon Accord
Composer: James Scott Skinner
Performers: James Scott Skinner, fiddle, unknown pianist
CD title: James Scott Skinner - The Strathspey King
P and C Temple Records
COMD2084
Duration: 1.16

Track title: Bonnie Lass o'Bon Accord
Composer: James Scott Skinner
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Catherine Strutt, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 1.00

Track title: James Miller (Bullionfield)
Traditional
Performers: Chris Duncan fiddle, fiddle and Muriel Johnstone, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan and Muriel Johnstone - Sandy Ower the Sea
P and C Scotscores and Co
CDM001-2
Duration: 1.05

Track title: Bovaglie's Plaid
Composer: James Scott Skinner
Performers: Chris Duncan, fiddle and Catherine Strutt, piano
CD title: Chris Duncan - Fyvie's Embrace The Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle
P and C Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Classics 465 203-2
Duration: 4'15

Further Information

Chris Duncan and Catherine Strutt

Lau