Violinissimo

The likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Joshua Bell, and Mark O'Connor can be heard on Heartland, a compilation featuring the best tracks from Sony's ongoing Appalachian-themed series of CDs. Individually, these folk and classical stars have little in common, but when they meet to play these new bluegrass-meets-chamber-music arrangements, the results are pure magic. It's hard to pinpoint these Americana-tinged tunes--they could fit in either Carnegie Hall or a grange hall--but they're all great; this is as much Aaron Copland's version of roots music as it is Bill Monroe's. Whether on fast-and-furious breakdowns such as "Death by Triple Fiddle" or on mellow, almost New Agey instrumentals such as "Sliding Down" (featuring Bela Fleck on the banjo), these musicians excel. Guest vocals by James Taylor and Alison Krauss break up the instrumentals, though instrumental virtuosity is the real highlight of this disc. If you like what you hear on this sampler, check out the Grammy Award-winning Appalachian Journey next. --Jason Verlinde

Special edition includes 4 bonus tracks! Track listing: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49 1. I. Molto allegro agitato 2. II. Andante con moto tranquillo 3. III. Scherzo: Leggiero e vivace 4. IV. Finale: Allegro assai appassionato Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 5. I. Allegro energico e con fuoco 6. II. Andante espressivo 7. III. Scherzo: Molto allegro quasi presto 8. IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato Bonus Tracks Songs Without Words 9. Andante con moto, Op. 19, No. 1 "Sweet Remembrance" 10. Andante con moto, Op. 38, No. 6 "Duetto" 11. Allegro non troppo, Op. 38, No. 2 12. Andante espressivo, Op. 62, No. 1

Evo Bluestein demonstrates traditional old-time fiddle techniques of bowing, finger and hand positions, slides, and rhythmic emphasis using a variety of tunes. The Appalachian fiddle style stems from the unique combination of Celtic dance music and Afro/American tradition. This DVD is ideal for the beginner or the folk music enthusiast seeking an authentic approach to the Appalachian fiddle style.

This book presents transcriptions with detailed bowings in tandem with three recorded versions of 35 Appalachian fiddle tunes ranging from some very common and easy tunes (for more beginning players) but also quite a few less typically played tunes. All transcriptions are based on "festival" versions of the tunes, meaning the versions are those most commonly encountered at jams and festivals. The book includes a clearly written description of old-time style focusing on "default" bowing systems designed to develop rhythmic bowing. Ideas presented include Nashville shuffle, 3-1 bowing, bow rocking, ghost bows, anticipations, left-hand ornamentation, drones, chording, dissonances, altered tunings, the concept of swing, tips on learning by ear and more. The tunes are played three times each for nearly 150 minutes of recording: (1.) very slowly and simply; (2.) at a modest tempo and but with double-stops, drones and other ornaments; and (3.) up-to-tempo. While this effort was designed for fiddlers, the recordings should serve as an excellent source for non-fiddlers at all levels who desire to build their repertoire and practice learning tunes by ear. The book and accompanying MP3 disc are appropriate for any level of player. The difficulty of the tunes ranges from simple to relatively complex. Similarly, the bowing techniques include the simplest ideas to relatively difficult. The three recorded speeds make the learning and processing of the tunes appropriate for all levels of players wishing to improve their ear training. ? Simple and highly accessible transcriptions with detailed bowings of 35 "festival" versions of Appalachian fiddle tunes ? All tunes are recorded three times to accommodate players at all levels of experience ? Includes comprehensive and practical discussion of old-time bowings and style and how to learn by ear ? Strong focus on developing "default" bowings to get the characteristic groove of old-time

Fifty-eight grand old fiddle tunes from the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Jigs, reels, hornpipes, and breakdowns, transcribed from the playing of traditional fiddlers, with authoritative notes, ideas for embellishments, bowing techniques, double stops chart.