At my church this Sunday, we’re having a Scottish-themed service to approximately coincide with Burns Night. These services are often called “Kirking of the Tartans,” and that’s what we’re calling ours.
The prelude is a challenging undertaking: OUTER HEBRIDES, A Fantasia on Three Celtic Tunes, by Paul Halley.
It’s a much harder piece that it seems. One might look at it and just see relatively simple Scottish tunes, accompanied by something that is more or less just chording.
The rhythmic interplays in the right and left hands, though, are extremely subtle. So are the slight harmonic variations. (Is it an add-six chord or an 11 chord? Depends on which of two next-door bass notes is involved.) Getting all the small, diatonic differences straight is a chore. Ditto the minor rhythmic variations.
The effect is terrific.
I have watched a performance of this on YouTube, and am disappointed—much of the score is simply ignored, including most of the rare and exciting chromatic harmonies. The tempo increases uncontrollably from start to finish.
It’s a delightful piece, and well rewards the care invested in learning it properly.
I’ll be repeating this piece in March at a festival in New Jersey. Watch for information, coming soon.
