From the toe-tapping opening Jig Set to the deeply moving signature piece, Highland Cathedral, the Coast String Fiddlers' (CSF) newest CD captures the fun and joy of the live performances that have delighted audiences from Nunavut to Mt. Vernon. Recorded at Roberts Creek Recording and St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, the deep nuances of cello and topknots of soprano strings are clear and rich throughout (although the small ensemble pieces tend to excel in clarity over the massed strings).
The CSF have produced a number of outstanding young performers and composers. One of the strongest tracks is Chelsea Sleep's Prodigy. Written for fellow fiddler/cellist Jeremy Williams, it's a fun, snappy piece full of humour, enriched by Ken Dalgleish's jazzy piano and stellar string work by Peter and Jeremy Williams, Mikhaila Searle, and Brett Wildeman.
Prodigy could have been written for any one of the fiddlers - there are so many talented young people. The experts from around the world who come to teach at the School of Celtic Music are quite amazed at the calibre of the Coast's young musicians, according to CSF musical director Ann Law.
"They aren't used to teaching young people at such advanced levels of achievement," said Law.
Young James Law's composition, The 103 (named for a bike trail on Mt. Elphinstone), is a more difficult and nuanced piece, which sets the twists, turns, stops and big air of mountain biking to music.
In 2003, Law took second place in the All-American Junior Fiddle Championships at Mt. Vernon, Wash.
Several tracks are themselves worth the $20 price of the CD. Heather Beckmyer's arrangement of the melodic Buchanan Birch, with James' violin solo, enriched by Stephen Beckmyer on octave violin and rich harmonies of Chelsea, Sophie Heppell and Holly Beckmyer. Throughout this lovely and moving selection, Heather Beckmyer's piano ripples like wind through the birch leaves.
Try and sit still through the stirring Athol Highlanders or the traditional favourite, Tamlin. Try to keep from dancing (or reaching for a mug of stout) during the Tribute to Robbie Burns or Country Girl and the Hungarian Fiddler.
But the ultimate, outstanding number has to be Highland Cathedral: fittingly recorded at St Bart's.
Since it was first performed at Audrey and Bert Wood's 50th anniversary party, this has become the CSF's signature piece.The sweet voices of soloists Kaija Hietland and Sophie are enhanced by the full ensemble, alternating choral with orchestral treatments and incorporating St. Bart's organ and chimes.
Climaxing with triumphal pipes and drums, this is the Coast String Fiddlers at their very best.
Look to the Mountains is available for $20 at Coast Books, Hallmark Cards and Ocean Optometry (all in Gibsons), Roberts Creek General Store, Davis Bay Shell gas station, Medi-Chair in Sechelt and Sechelt Eye Care Centre.
