Concerto Caledonia: the Lion roars !

13 June 2007

LION : new CD release for June 2007, Boxwood Media

CONCERTO CALEDONIA

concerto caledonia mcguinness mcgillivray greenberg lion

The new CD from Scotland’s baroque ensemble Concerto Caledonia features Scottish music from the 16th century to the 21st, along with a few surprises. Joining the core quartet are guests Lisa Milne and Mary Ann Kennedy, and the album features a collaboration with cult Texan singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston.

• For the first time, the group ventures into 19th century repertoire, with Scots fiddle tunes from William Marshall’s collection played with their original barnstorming basslines.

• Lisa Milne sings a selection of Scots songs from the 16th century on, and a unique version of the Buzzcocks punk classic ‘Boredom’, sung her own Aberdeen accent, with the legendary two-note guitar solo played by Canadian flute virtuoso Chris Norman.

• Outsider artist Daniel Johnston’s cult recording ‘Walking the Cow’ is accompanied by strings and harpsichord recorded in Midlothian’s Crichton Collegiate Church.

• Katherine McGillivray and David McGuinness both contribute new tunes, and Katherine plays a remarkable sonata on the 14 string viola d’amore.

• Mary Ann Kennedy contributes a song by reclusive Swedish musician Stina Nordenstam.

• the album concludes with a baroque rendition of tango king Astor Piazzolla’s tribute to Bach, entitled Coral.

The album was originally designed to showcase the skills of the group’s core quartet of David Greenberg (violin), David McGuinness (keyboards), Katherine McGillivray (violas, nyckelharpa) and Alison McGillivray (cello, bass viol). With the tragically sudden death of Katherine McGillivray in August 2006, it now serves as a reminder of a unique coming together of complementary talents.

For more information on Concerto Cazledonia and LION