NYOS Concerts - and an intriguing tune

From the NYOS website, with due acknowledgment

The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland is about to begin its annual summer tour.  Details here.

A highlight of the programme will be Nicola Benedetti playing the Bruch Fantasia on Scottish Folksongs. 

This favourite piece includes a tune called 'I'm a' doun for lack of Johnnie'.  The tune first appeared in a mid-19th century Scottish songbook called Songs of Scotland.  The commentary tells us it was a Highland melody, probably not very old, found and arranged by Finlay Dun.  It had never been published before.

Does this mean Bruch had a copy of Songs of Scotland? Or did someone else pass the tune on to him? We can only speculate.

The Whittaker Library at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is glad they've got copies of the songbook, in any case! 

Vol.1, Songs of Scotland: Finlay Dun's setting

The Songs of Scotland adapted to their appropriate Melodies, arranged with Pianoforte Accompaniments by G. F. Graham, T. M. Mudie, J. T. Surenne, H. E. Dibdin, Finlay Dun with historical, biographical, and critical notices by G. F. Graham, etc ... See catalogue entry ...

Maggie Adamson's summer

RSAMD student Maggie Adamson is not 'just' a classical violinist, but also a rising star as a Shetland Fiddler.  That's how she came to play fiddle when the Tall Ships went to Shetland this summer.

• BBC story and video
• Maggie Adamson (fiddle) and Brian Nicholson (guitar) - on MySpace
• CDs
• Track on No.1 Scottish (RSAMD CD)

Play chamber music in the Scottish Highlands

NYOS Variations: Ullapool, 2-9 August 2008 Making chamber music in Scotland - visit www.nyosvariations.co.uk to find out more. NYOS Variations is an initiative of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland.