THE SCOTTISH FIDDLE ORCHESTRA
Sleeping Warrior

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, have now clocked up nearly half a century bringing their particular take on Scottish traditional music to the wider world.

The current iteration features no less than 42 first violins and 32 second violins led by Yla Stevens, along with seven cellos, five bases, seven accordions, four flutes, four percussionists and one accompanist, all under the baton of Blair Parham. Both groundbreaking and inspiring the latest album draws heavily on the traditions of their homeland in order to celebrate both its beauty and its characters and in doing so, blending contemporary tunes along with traditional pieces. So the mixture includes a visit to Orkney, a celebrated character remembered from a visit to China celebrated as the Happy Wee Chappy, composed by the conductor himself, and a joyous interlude it is too. There is a celebration of history of landscape, the title track being inspired by an interpretation of the view of the North Aron Hills seen from the mainland.

Inevitably, the musicianship is of the highest order and the soundscapes lush and embracing, it is the introduction of the pipes that ups the emotional resonance, a weapon deployed sparingly but to great effect.

While the track selection does lie towards the contemporary, the past is never far away. exemplified by their take on and arrangement of the ’Skye Boat Song’, before rounding off a reference to more modern history with the tune ‘Everyday Heroes’, originally released as a charity single during the pandemic by Gaelic Celtic superstars Skerryvore.

Probably too large a grouping for your average North West Folk club, probably best to be enjoyed in the surroundings of your own parlour whilst raising a dram in a Glencairn glass to the spirit of our northern parts!

Visit the The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra website