Rowan Leslie: Contemporary Fiddle Tunes: Fiddle: Instrumental Collection

from the Northeast of Ireland-This unique collection celebrates the contemporary fiddle music of northeast Ireland much of it for the first time in print. Not surprisingly given its location and long history of traditional music the fiddle music of this region shares some characteristics with Scottish music yet it has its own distinct style. For those who are not familiar with this ruggedly attractive part of Ireland this book will introduce you to some of its music and musicians. The tunes presented here collected by County Antrim fiddler Rowan Leslie have all been written relatively recently by local musicians. Each tune is offered in two versions—one with the barebones melody and suggested accompaniment chords and a second with ornamentation articulation and bowing details. All tune types from northeast Ireland are represented including jigs and reels polkas and hornpipes marches barn dances and waltzes plus set dances and slow airs. Moreover the biographical sketches and backstories provided for each composer and tune demonstrate how the land itself along with personal experiences and relationships influence the fiddle music of northeast Ireland.