I recently took up the cello at the age of, ahem, 55, and I am amazed by this woman. The fact that she can dance and STILL hit every note on key alone is incredible not to mention the speed at which she can play! I am very excited to be seeing her in Ogunquit, Maine on the 26th of July!
Good to hear someone actually playing this - there seems to be such an aura around Tullochgorum as a test piece that hardly anyone seems to record it...
Almost started readin',....but then I thought,...shoosh,...just gonna listen,...my kitchen door is always open Natalie! Ya can always fiddle the night away in my heart!
@Poodlepups Amplifying the violin is so new that technology hasn't really had the time to generate decent pickups... The only way to get a really natural amplified sound is to use a microphone, but then there's feedback (especially in the size concerts she plays) as well as whether or not she is able to dance around like she does. I, personally, think it's a small loss in favour of getting to hear this wonderful fiddler. :)
It's funny ye know. As she plays this I can here a many merry men singing their lungs out and banging pints on wooden tables in some far off land. And me son's name is Skye.
"Bright and merry we's be aw, Bright and merry, Bright and merry, Bright and merry we's be aw, As long as Ah hae a breath tae draw, Ah'll dance till Ah begin tae fall tae the reel of Tullochgorum..."
Eek! Guys, I'm not a classical violinist, I'm a semi-beginning fiddler, and I really do love Natalie McMaster! No need to get nasty. On second viewing the amp problem is pretty minor in this video. I have seen videos in which the sound is so nasal you wonder if it's a keyboard (not with Natalie.)
You seriously think so? I've seen her play all over the fingerboard brilliantly. As a fiddle player, one of the pet peeves I always have is classical players telling me that I can't do this or that because of how I hold the bow or how I have my left hand. Fiddle players can do all the stuff classical players do, we just have less rules (and seriously rules are no fun in music anyway.)
@ellenanna55 from my own experience sometimes it's harder NOT to dance. Especially if you know the tune well and it's a bouncy piece. It looks like she might even be doing this one by memory, if so it's even easier. There's a tune called Wassail that I CAN'T stand still and play even when I switch instruments to the recorder or the Psaltery.
@ainefidileir Too true- I've seen this happen a lot, especially when classical players realise that they're not going to get the kind of recognition they were hoping for as 'serious' musicians. They then seek to involve themselves in 'alternative' forms of music.
They’re older, they’re tired? Or they’re all musicians, mostly, so they may actually play the tune themselves and be analyzing it somewhat. Or they want to enjoy it because they also know it…OR! It could be they want to respectfully listen as this is their “hometown girl” and this was being recorded… many reasons! Other videos exist of this tune being played in its full entirety, as a set with “Coilsfield House” the slow air intro, followed by a slow strathspey and then “Tullochgorum”. Ending with reels. Those are on UA-cam, such as at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Merlefest, Grey Fox Bluegrass festival, and the audiences are hollering and shouting and really into it.
It's not the amplification device that's causing that problem for you, but the transducer ie mic. Look how close it is, a proper violin recording would be done from a far greater distance, but that's not possible live.
I was wanting to sing along but she's playing the variations, so it's not really practical. Oh well, just have to look for a vanilla version, I guess. Pity because her tempo is great for singing to.
This is also a rather small venue, I believe it's the Cape Breton hockey location. Maybe not technically setup? I've seen her in a small theatre as well as a larger amphitheater, and neither one sounded electric or bad. This was also 2005/6, btw
In my opinion this is as inspiring and soulful as any fiddler can be!! She's great!!!
I recently took up the cello at the age of, ahem, 55, and I am amazed by this woman. The fact that she can dance and STILL hit every note on key alone is incredible not to mention the speed at which she can play! I am very excited to be seeing her in Ogunquit, Maine on the 26th of July!
13 years alter i hope your cello-learning-career is doing well :)
I've seen Natalie at least four times in concert. Amazing for sure!!
Good to hear someone actually playing this - there seems to be such an aura around Tullochgorum as a test piece that hardly anyone seems to record it...
Some of the older Cape Breton fiddlers really disliked it. Not all of them, of course.
Almost started readin',....but then I thought,...shoosh,...just gonna listen,...my kitchen door is always open Natalie! Ya can always fiddle the night away in my heart!
Nice! One of my favorite tunes!
I love Natalie. I love Strathspeys. I really love when Natalie plays Strathspeys!
She is fantastic. We LOVE YOU NATALIE
Just saw her in Calgary Tuesday night with the Calgary Orchestra. It was amazing.
hard to believe this is real... her skill is extraordinary.. almost superhuman
@Poodlepups
Amplifying the violin is so new that technology hasn't really had the time to generate decent pickups... The only way to get a really natural amplified sound is to use a microphone, but then there's feedback (especially in the size concerts she plays) as well as whether or not she is able to dance around like she does. I, personally, think it's a small loss in favour of getting to hear this wonderful fiddler. :)
she is crazy and I love her!!!!....great great great!!!....I like her a lot!
Robert Burns favourite tune written by the Rev John Skinner. Burns said it was 'the best Scotch song ever written.' Thanks!
wonderful sound.
She's brilliant!
What a brilliant fiddler
Love ya Natalie ~ Another Scotia Princess!!! =)
Good stuff. Thanks.
This is one of the hardest tunes to learn on pipes, let alone the fiddle !
It's funny ye know. As she plays this I can here a many merry men singing their lungs out and banging pints on wooden tables in some far off land. And me son's name is Skye.
"Bright and merry we's be aw,
Bright and merry,
Bright and merry,
Bright and merry we's be aw,
As long as Ah hae a breath tae draw,
Ah'll dance till Ah begin tae fall tae the reel of Tullochgorum..."
Lovely!!
bravissima....sopratutto dal vivo....
Eek! Guys, I'm not a classical violinist, I'm a semi-beginning fiddler, and I really do love Natalie McMaster! No need to get nasty. On second viewing the amp problem is pretty minor in this video. I have seen videos in which the sound is so nasal you wonder if it's a keyboard (not with Natalie.)
increible!!!!
the passion...jaysus..!!!
The Good Fairies of New York brought me here.
You seriously think so? I've seen her play all over the fingerboard brilliantly. As a fiddle player, one of the pet peeves I always have is classical players telling me that I can't do this or that because of how I hold the bow or how I have my left hand. Fiddle players can do all the stuff classical players do, we just have less rules (and seriously rules are no fun in music anyway.)
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This rendition is right, some, Jesus good.
@ellenanna55 from my own experience sometimes it's harder NOT to dance. Especially if you know the tune well and it's a bouncy piece. It looks like she might even be doing this one by memory, if so it's even easier. There's a tune called Wassail that I CAN'T stand still and play even when I switch instruments to the recorder or the Psaltery.
Not by memory - by heart!
@ainefidileir Too true- I've seen this happen a lot, especially when classical players realise that they're not going to get the kind of recognition they were hoping for as 'serious' musicians. They then seek to involve themselves in 'alternative' forms of music.
everyone in the crowd is just sitting there... WHY ARE THEY NOT DANCING!!!!
They’re older, they’re tired? Or they’re all musicians, mostly, so they may actually play the tune themselves and be analyzing it somewhat. Or they want to enjoy it because they also know it…OR! It could be they want to respectfully listen as this is their “hometown girl” and this was being recorded… many reasons! Other videos exist of this tune being played in its full entirety, as a set with “Coilsfield House” the slow air intro, followed by a slow strathspey and then “Tullochgorum”. Ending with reels. Those are on UA-cam, such as at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Merlefest, Grey Fox Bluegrass festival, and the audiences are hollering and shouting and really into it.
It's not the amplification device that's causing that problem for you, but the transducer ie mic. Look how close it is, a proper violin recording would be done from a far greater distance, but that's not possible live.
@sarahcrayner
She speaks the forgotten tongues of the past, practice just keeps it alive.
Off the top of my head, the variations were added by James Scott Skinner. i think the tune predates the words.
What a national treasure! And ever so cute too!
(Now quit stalling Natalie - marry me!)
lots of people play this tune
the best versions are angus chisholms and arthur muises i find
sei un sogno bellissimo ciao luck
I was wanting to sing along but she's playing the variations, so it's not really practical. Oh well, just have to look for a vanilla version, I guess. Pity because her tempo is great for singing to.
Love this but her 1999 version on UA-cam played in a set is more entertaining.
I love when she starts with the slow air "Coilsfield House" then goes into some other strathspeys in G major. Then this solo, ending with reels!
shes my best friends cousin...just sayin
i want to see a natalie macmaster VIOLIN HERO xD
It's well played, but I have issues with the amplification devices that make it sound like a cheap electric violin. It doesn't ring as it should.
This is also a rather small venue, I believe it's the Cape Breton hockey location. Maybe not technically setup? I've seen her in a small theatre as well as a larger amphitheater, and neither one sounded electric or bad. This was also 2005/6, btw
She ain't playing till she breaks a few strings lol
c'mon....you wouldn't?...talking all this bs about cb music...lol....buddy plays it how it was composed...not just to get a rise from the crowd
i don't like the when she bounces the bow off the strings...she does that alot...i'd rather listen to buddy
shes a good vioin player but this songs a bit dull sorry.good quality vid thoe
Ach, you poor sassenach Protestants
not very popular among the older players