Medley of Scots Tunes

• This piece was co-composed with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser.

“The medley begins with a slow air, “Lament of Flora MacDonald.” Flora MacDonald was imprisoned in the Tower of London after smuggling Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety on the Isle of Skye, dressed as a woman. This beautiful song is played first by Alasdair, then by Rachel with Alasdair playing descant, and then by a woodwind quartet. The bassoon’s bass line is taken from the cello accompaniment by Neil Gow. The next tune is called “The Waukin of the Fauld,” a strathspey in which the melody is passed among the soloists and various instruments of the orchestra. A minor-key reel, “Miss Lyall or Mrs. Grant of Laggan,” gives each soloist a brief moment of improvisation over an orchestral vamp. It serves as a bridge into the final major-key reel, “Timour the Tartar.”

From Rachel Barton Pine’s liner notes for this piece¹

1. Rachel Barton Pine, liner notes to Scottish Fantasies, Rachel Barton Pine, Alasdair Fraser, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Alexander Platt, Cedille 90000 083, CD, 2005.