Rachel Barton Pine really may be the most charismatic, the most virtuosic, and the most compelling American violinist of her generation. Her recordings from Handel through Brahms have been sweet-toned, strong-willed, and deeply affecting and with this two-disc set called Scottish Fantasies, Barton has once again turned in a completely convincing recording. Her performance of Bruch's very well-known Scottish Fantasy is warm-hearted and delightfully nostalgic. Her performance of Sarasate's fairly well-known Airs ecossais is ...
Read More
Rachel Barton Pine really may be the most charismatic, the most virtuosic, and the most compelling American violinist of her generation. Her recordings from Handel through Brahms have been sweet-toned, strong-willed, and deeply affecting and with this two-disc set called Scottish Fantasies, Barton has once again turned in a completely convincing recording. Her performance of Bruch's very well-known Scottish Fantasy is warm-hearted and delightfully nostalgic. Her performance of Sarasate's fairly well-known Airs ecossais is superbly played and incredibly impressive. Her performances of Mackenzie's nearly unknown Pibiroch Suite and McEwen's previously unrecorded Scottish Rhapsody "Prince Charlie" are superlatively played and wonderfully touching. And her performance of a duet with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser is twice as well played and absolutely irresistible. Under the expert direction of American conductor Alexander Platt, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs with heart, soul, and spirit....
Read Less