I am currently working on one the major Strathspeys called the Marquis of Huntly. Its composed by William Marshall and is a difficult tune. The bowing is difficult - snaps, arrow bowing, loops and stops. The key is quite difficult (G minor). The runs are difficult - particularly one that has a turn at the end of it. I have listened to recordings of the tune and it sounds like people have changed the bowing to slurs and missed out the turn altogether. I don;t think I have found one yet that is played completely as notated. I suppose that might be an option. But at the moment I am bowing it close to the versions in Henderson's Flowers of Scottish Melodies and The Caledonian Companion. Still about five weeks to go until the recital.
I have also been working on reel to go with it, John Cheap the Chapman by Nathaniel Gow - also taken from Henderson's. It is full of leaps across two strings; string crossing requiring the fingering to straddle (difficult if you have small hands); and third position and back down at speed. Its a good tune. They are both a challenge. I have been practicing slowly. I have also been working on the two Shetland tunes I am going to play. I would like to play one slowly - possibly solo. The tune is so irregular that I am trying to decide if its easier for the listener to understand that way. Also planning to play it on my hardanger using scodatura.
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Fiona Harrison
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