One of the many striking things about the “Masters of the Fiddle” concert at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium Wednesday night, part of the “KU Presents!” series, was how much variety of sound you can get from two pianos and two fiddles.
From the moment Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster and her husband, Donnell Leahy (whose style is all his own), took the stage with pianists Mac Morin and Rachel Aucoin, you could hear trains roaring by, bagpipes in the distance, jet planes taking off, and much more.
The Cape Breton style of fiddling is unmistakably Scottish, but in MacMaster’s and Leahy’s hands – and in the tradition of the style – it’s strikingly different. Theirs is a highly kinetic style of playing; they are literally always moving, dancing, tapping feet, swinging bows. And there’s a wildness, an almost demonic spirit, an intensity and deep-throated violin sound – all of which make other styles seem tame.
They opened with some ferocious tandem playing from their first joint album, “One,” with Leahy often in a “grand plie” stance while MacMaster step-danced; their duets were precise and at the same time spontaneous, with the energy of a freight train going 90 mph.
Each visiting an accompanying pianist, MacMaster at times perching on the bench, the fiddlers were well matched to Morin, also from Cape Breton, and Aucoin from Montreal, both powerful pianists.
While Leahy rested from his exertions, MacMaster played lovely tunes with Morin that went back into the foggy past of Scotland prior to the emigration, due to the Highland Clearances, to Cape Breton, where they’ve been cherished for nearly two centuries.
Morin also proved to be a highly skilled step dancer; his upper body relaxed, his left hand clutching his tie, his legs fast and loose, his feet furious.
MacMaster also played a piece she composed for cellist Yo-Yo Ma for his 2009 Christmas album, “Songs of Joy and Peace,” on which she played. “The Christmas Jig,” with a pretty, flowing piano accompaniment by Morin, captured the joy of the season.
Later, Aucoin demonstrated her versatility and classical chops with some Chopin and Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.” Leahy surprised the audience with part of Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen.”
It was an evening of variety, unleashed energy and, most of all, joy.
The show opened with delightful performances by three 2015 Lyons Fiddle Fest champions: Sarah Larsen of Philadelphia (Grand Champion and Class III first prize winner), 11-year-old Sophia Delong of Reading (Class I under-12 first prize winner), and Andrew Vogts, 14, of Chadds Ford (Class II first-prize winner). They were accompanied by guitarist Paul Wilkinson and bassist Rick Delong.
Larsen, who performed duets with each of the younger fiddlers, also sang “The Tennessee Waltz” in an attractive arrangement. All of them played together for their finale.
