The Celtic Viol II = An Homage to the Irish and Scottish Musical Traditions – Jordi Savall, Treble Viol and Lyra viol/ Andrew Lawrence-King, Irish Harp and Psalterium/ Frank McGuire, bodhran – AliaVox Multichannel SACD AVSA 9878, 74:11 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] *****:
Those who are as enthusiastic about Savall’s first Celtic Viol album have only good things to look forward to in this latest release. Whereas in the former he concentrated primarily on the soprano viol because of the specifics of the repertory, here he uses the treble and bass viols as well, adding a new dimension to this wonderful music. If anything, this recording surpasses the first, if such a thing is possible.
Notation in this music is comparatively late; the earlier manuscripts especially insistent on tuning schemes, and the melodies were largely orally handed down with a great emphasis on improvisation. It would be foolish indeed to ignore the transcriptions that have come down, and Savall and his cohort Andrew Lawrence-King, with the added (and outstanding addition) of the Frank McGuire’s bodhran (an Irish goatskin drum that cane be pitch and timbre-controlled to an extent) are rip-roaringly enthusiastic about this music, as is evident in the performances. As usual the tremendously impressive production values of Alia Vox are everywhere present in this deluxe release. I do hope that classical aficionados not normally interested in early or Irish music will acquire this, for it might be the beginning of a marvelous discovery, and also that Irish fans are tuned in as well and not put off by Savall’s “classical” profile—this is a good as it gets.
TrackList:
I. The Galway Set (D-minor, 440)
1. The Galway Bay Hornpipe – Traditional Irish
2. The Rover Reformed – John Playford (1718)
3. Lord Frog Dance – John Walsh (1713) & Buckingham House – Traditional Irish
II. The Gold Ring Set (D major, 440) 4. The Hills of Lorne – Charlie Hunter of Oban
5. Miss Sally Hunter of Thurston Jig – Nathaniel Gow (1763-1831)
6. Mrs. Scott Skinner – James Scott Skinner (1843-1927)
7. Alexander’s Hornspipe & Harvest Home – Traditional Irish
8. The Gold Ring Jig – Traditional Irish
III. The Abergeldie Castle Set (E-minor, 415)
9. Abergeldie Castle Strathspey – Dan R. MacDonald (1911-1976)
10. Caribou Barren – Dan R. MacDonald
11. Regents Rant – Traditional Scottish
12. Crabs in the skillet Slow Jig – Ryan’s Collection (Boston, 1883)
13. Lord Moira’s Hornpipe – Ryan’s Collection (Boston, 1883) Jordi Savall Lyra Viol
IV. The Nathaniel Gow Set (A-minor, 440)
14. The Braes o’ Bushbie Slow march – P. John Bowie, 1789
15. Nathaniel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Brother – Nathaniel Gow
16. Abigail Judge – O’Carolan (1670-1738)
(O’Neill The Music of Ireland, Chicago, 1903)
17. Planxty O’Daly – O’Carolan (O’Neill, Chicago, 1903)
V. The Lancashire Pipes Set (E Major/ minor)
18. The Lancashire Pipes (E-major) – Manchester Gamba Book
19. Pigges of Rumsey / Kate of Bardie (E-major) – Manchester Gamba Book
20. The Cup of Tea (E-minor) – Traditional Irish
21. A Toye (E-major) – Manchester Gamba Book
VI. The Archibald MacDonald Set (D minor / major)
22. Planxty Sir Ulick Burke (D-minor) – O’Carolan (O’Neill, Chicago, 1903)
23. The Sword Dance-New Stepny Slip Jig (D-minor) – Traditional Irish
24. Archibald MacDonald of Keppoch (D-minor) – Traditional Irish
25. Jimmy Holme’s Favorite – Reel (D-major) – Ryan’s Collection (Boston, 1883)
VII. The Liverpool Set (D-major, 440)
26. Planxty Irwin – O’Carolan (O’Neill, Chicago, 1903)
27. The Liverpool Hornpipe – James Stewart Robertson
28. Peter’s Peerie Boat Jig – Tom Anderson (1910-1991)
— Steven Ritter
