Masters of the Fiddle at MWPAI

 Last night Claire and I went to see the Masters of the fiddle concert with our friends John and Gail Brett at Munson Williams (part of their concerts in the court series). I've enjoyed hundreds of concerts over the years but this was one of the best. Our tickets were a 60th birthday gift from my friends and music pals from our local Irish group, Craobh Dugan (thanks Jim, Di, Mike, Chris, Skip, and Jen) and I can't think of another birthday present I've enjoyed this much.



My expectations were very high for this show - I'd seen Natalie MacMaster twice before and was in awe of her talents - both as a fiddler and performer. Donnell Leahy I had heard a few times but never really plugged into his music.

The Concerts in the Court Series at the MWPAI is one of the best concert venues around the Mohawk Valley, and each year they bring in Nationally and Internationally known musicians. Claire and I have probably attended 20 or so concerts there over the years, and the room is a perfect setting to create a very intimate relationship between the artist and the audience. Not all acts pull it off, but throughout the evening Natalie and Donnell had me feeling like I was sitting in their living room at a family session.

So my high expectations were exceeded shortly after the show started. Masters of the fiddle may be an understatement. Both Natalie and Donnell are not only comfortable with their fiddles, but it almost seems like they are part of the instrument. They have complete command of their bows. To watch some great musicians perform it seems that they are putting in little effort. Not the case here - both put their body and soul into their music. They don't just play the fiddle - their body's move and dance and become part of the music as it happens.

Natalie is expecting their 6th child in three weeks - and put on a very demanding physical show.    But having seen her in the past I don't think she can play any other way than all in with every part of her moving to the music.   Not only did she play but she danced - Cape Breton step dancing is not the easiset form of dance - she's just one truely amazing performer!

They performed many tunes that I play, or know through listening.   The styles are very eclectic - but mostly rooted in  the Northern fiddling traditions.    Some of the variations on old standards such as Donnell's rendition of King of the Fairies rephrased and remade the tune into his own - and to me that's the mark of a true master.    Anyone can play the tune, but not anyone can take it and create something entirely both new and respectful of the tradition from where it came.    And the joy they both play with and show on stage is contagious - I looked around the audience a few times and saw smiles everywhere!


What added so much to the evening was the interludes between tunes when they both told stories of how they grew into the music and how they met.    Natalie described growing up in Cape Breton in a way that struck home.    She said that the music was everywhere.   Everyone played.   Totally surrounded by it.    I've only been immersed in music a few times in my life attending the Augusta Heritage Old Time and Cajun weeks and I understand what she meant.   When you are in that state you hear music even when it's not playing - it becomes part of you.   Having been around it for a week and experiencing it raised my total musical experience and made me a better musician.   Growing up with it creates genius like Natalie and Donnell.    I can't wait to hear the music their children will make - we got a taste of it and you can see that the kids are already comfortable playing and performing.



The whole show was almost three hours long.   Three hours with them seemed like 15 minutes.   They are not only Masters of the Fiddle, but Masters of the Stage - they captured the audience and took us on an incredible musical journey.    Now if I can just remember how Donnell rephrased the King of the Fairies, and Natalie's great first few bars of Harvest Home and bring a little of that into my playing............