| Catriona Macdonald is a proud bearer of one of the world's great fiddle traditions. Inspired by the raw passion of the old players, she has grown into a powerful and innovative musician herself. From the raunchy vigour of Shetland dance tunes to the slow lilting grace of airs, hers is a smooth lyrical style, infused with warmth, virtuosity, spontaneity and life. |  |
| A star
pupil of the late Dr. Tom Anderson MBE, Catriona at once
embodies the strength and spirit of her heritage and the
freshness and diversity of a thoroughly modern performer. Her
superb playing and great charisma have established her a
worldwide reputation.
Catriona began playing as a child back in 1981 under Tammy's masterful musical tutelage. Less than two years later, she took both the title of Young Fiddler of the Year in the annual Shetland Folk Society competition and the deputy leadership of a new fiddle group, Shetland's Young Heritage, set up to help preserve Shetland traditional music and to help Tammy teaching Shetland traditional fiddle to local school children. In 1991 her dexterity and presence became acknowledged on a wider stage, when she won the prestigious BBC Radio Two Young Tradition Award, a high profile competition featuring the cream of Britain's young traditional players. And whilst at the age of eighteen, she found she could sing, and was whisked away for some enjoyable and instructive years training in opera at the Royal College of Music in London (where she met former playing partner Ian Lowthian), Catriona has still been lucky to focus her musical career on her first love, that of the Shetland fiddle. Currently Macdonald enjoys the musical benefits of being based in the Scottish borders. Her new album bold (peerie angel productions PAP001) sees her flourishing as a progressive performer in her own right, offering a wealth of exciting, original musical ideas whilst still firmly holding hands with the past, a part of the ever evolving tradition. Her location has helped her to be able to work closely alongside some of the great contemporary players, largely based in Scotland. One of her main projects at the moment is based around her work with bass player Conrad Ivitsky, and pianist David Milligan. Conrad is currently a member of popular international touring "acid-croft" outfit Shooglenifty, and formerly a member of the ground-breaking act Swamptrash. David is heavily involved in the Edinburgh jazz scene, having studied at Leeds University, taking their acclaimed jazz music course. The trio plan to work together as a touring project in 2000 to support the release of Catriona's new CD. Other guests to featured on the CD include top percussionist James Mackintosh, (also a member of Shooglenifty, in addition to his regular high-profile appearances with Capercaillie and the Afro-Celts Sound System. James was also a member of early '90s innovators Mouth Music); much sought-after Norwegian church organist Ivar Kleive, (a Winter Olympian musician, and lynchpin of the renowned Kirklige Kulturverkstad label) and former playing partner Ian Lowthian, whose wizard piano accordion playing will offer continuity in sound from 'opus blue', Catriona's previous album, and, finally, guitarist Tony McManus, Greentrax top artist and one of the most distinctive guitarists of this age. There is also a cameo appearance from ex-Anam bodhran player and Catriona's best friend Aimee Leonard. Since becoming professional, Catriona has probably been known primarily to date for her splendid duo with piano accordion wizard Ian Lowthian. The superb technical mastery and beautiful evocative arrangements for which they were critically acclaimed (amongst their fans is Mark Knopfler, former frontman of Dire Straits!) led them to play for audiences throughout the world, from Malaysia to America, and Germany to Galway.... always purveying a unique spirit, enjoyment and charisma on any stage. Catriona is also behind a fantastic project premiered at
Celtic Connections in Jan 2000, bringing togther six of the most
exciting fiddle players in the world. String Sisters features a
stellar international line up comprising Liz Carroll (USA), Liz
Knowles (USA), Annbjorg Lien (Norway), Natalie MacMaster
(Canada) and Altan's Mairead ni Mhaonaigh (Ireland). Each of the
six also brought along one of their regular collaborators to
make up an equal exciting band for a show that also
utilised innovative staging concepts. Catriona's commitment to the promotion of her island's heritage through education is an important part of Macdonald's work; from helping in 1987 to negotiate for the inclusion of Shetland Traditional Fiddle Music into the Scottish Certificate '0' Grade Music on behalf on Tom Anderson to seeing its fruition and success, and acting as a visiting tutor as part of the Scottish Music Degree (the first of its kind!) at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance in Glasgow. Catriona also teaches Shetland fiddle on a regular, annual basis, particularly at many of the country's summer schools e.g. Folkworks, Burwell House (in Cambridge), Stirling and her own Shetland Fiddle School in Vementry, Shetland. She is also personally researching a book and CD of whole archives of previously unknown/untranscribed Shetland tunes due for release in the next year or so. |
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