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More Art of Robert BurnsA new collection of Burns songs and instrumental pieces from his time. "...with vigour and lyricism..." "The CD's repertoire ranges from daft ditties such as The Auld Man's Mare is Deid , through satirical sallies, like the bawdily polemical When Princes and Prelates, to a sublime rendition of My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, set to its original tune (which was almost certainly composed by a legendary fiddler Niel Gow), with Kevin McCrae's solo cello introducing Geoff Davidson's resonant baritone, before Bonnie Rideout, an American specialist in 18th-century Scots music, takes over on fiddle. The other performers are Scots singers Hilary Bell (soprano) and Campbell Russell (tenor), flautist Jadwiga Kotnowska and harpsichordist Jeremy Barlow." The Scotsman January 17 2005.
None of these lyrics was exactly intended for concert performance, yet they are all typically Burns, and work wonderfully as songs; Burns was hardly capable of writing a bad song lyric. The CD also offers such unusual delights as When princes and prelates – a no-holds-barred view of European politics in 1792; He clench’d his pamphlets in his fist – a picture of advocates at work in the Court of Session; and I’m o’er young to marry yet – an investigation into what girls really think about that subject. Also included are some of Burns’ classics: O my luve’s like a red, red rose , Hey ca’ thro’ , Flow gently, sweet Afton , Ca’ the yowes , and The de’il’s awa’ wi’ th’Exciseman . ...and to the songs have been added appropriate instrumental pieces – including ones by the major Scottish composers William McGibbon, James Oswald, the Earl of Kelly and Niel Gow. Our aim is that the disc should be “authentic” – something that Burns himself would have recognised and approved of." Dr. David Johnson Full texts of songs, with translations where necessary, informative notes on every track, full cvs of our great performers. Sample Sound Clips for your enjoyment in mp3 format
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Already in existence in the early twelfth century and vastly expanded in the mid-fourteenth century, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Haddington was built outside the city walls, looking toward the River Tyne near Lammermuir Hills, as a Great Church for East Lothian. Besieged by the English in 1544, it was somewhat renovated in the sixteenth century, with a barrier wall that divided the church, protecting for use the undamaged portion. The removal of the barrier and the renovations of the ruined parts were undertaken only in 1972 and the full restoration completed in 1977. Since then, St. Mary is not only one of the most beautifull medieval churches in Scotland and a home to a thriving Church of Scotland congregation, but one of the acoustically superior and romantically attractive concert and recording venues in Lothian.
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The Art of Robert Burns (Scotstown, 2003)
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The Art of Robert Burns CD was recorded in Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian.
Rosslyn Chapel, or the Collegiate Chapel of St. Mathew was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, the last St Clair Prince of Orkney. The actual building is only a part of the much bigger plan that was originally designed. The Chapel is known for it's extraordinary stone carvings, it's themes often connected to the beginnings of the Scottish Rite of Masonry, to the proof of Orkadian discovery of America and to many myths and theories, from the Apprentice Pillar, to the Templars, the Holy Grail and many more. We leave discussions of the veracity of all of the above to historians and enthusiasts. What matters most from our point of view is that the building possesses an incredible acoustics, almost perfect for the human voice and most instruments. Making the record with the sounds of voices and instruments reflected from the Chapel's ancient walls and ceilings is our contribution to the mystique of this unique place. You can find in our catalog all recordings commercially produced in Rosslyn Chapel. |
" More Art of Robert Burns, on the Scotstown label,
features Burns's songs as they would have been performed in 18th-century
salons, some as unadorned melodies, some with more elaborate, "Scots-baroque" accompaniments
on harpsichord, fiddle, flute and cello. It provides a fascinating
counterbalance to recent folk-oriented Burns collection..." 
" Our second disc explores some of Burns’ lesser known
songs: occasional verses like Ken ye ought o’ Captain
Grose? – a humorous piece about not knowing a friend’s
address; quick scribbles such as Mount and go – a
tiny lyric to a popular fiddle tune; and the deeply personal O
wha my babie-clouts will buy? , which was probably written
for the servant girl at his parents’ farm – the first
girl he got pregnant. 
More
Art of Robert Burns CD was recorded at the Church of St. Mary the
Virgin at Haddington.
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