A fiddle is a bowed string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres including classical music. Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, the style of the music played may determine specific construction differences between fiddles and classical violins. For example, fiddles may optionally be set up with a bridge with a flatter arch to reduce the range of bow-arm motion needed for techniques such as the double shuffle, a form of bariolage involving rapid alternation between pairs of adjacent strings. To produce a "brighter" tone, compared to the deeper tones of gut or synthetic core strings, fiddlers often use steel strings. The fiddle is part of many traditional (folk) styles, which are typically aural traditions—taught 'by ear' rather than via written music.
Mark O'Connor is an American violinist and composer whose music combines bluegrass, country, jazz and classical.
Appalachia Waltz is the first album from the trio of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, double-bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, and fiddler and composer Mark O'Connor. Sony Classical released the disc in 1996. It was recorded over three days, 14–17 August 1995.
Appalachian Journey is the second album from the string trio of bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, fiddler and composer Mark O'Connor, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. James Taylor and Alison Krauss join the trio individually on two Stephen Foster songs arranged for the trio. Sony Classical released the disc in 2000. The album joined a number of other recordings released since Appalachia Waltz that continue a new kind of classical music tinged with and influenced by the sounds and structures of America's own musical traditions. It is possible that the titles of these albums imply a continuity of the American classical tradition begun by Aaron Copland in Appalachian Spring. Unlike their first album, the three virtuosos spent several months on the compositions and arrangements, from July 19 to September 10, 1999.
Another Sky is the seventh studio album by Irish traditional band Altan. It was released in February 2000 on the Narada Productions label.
Unforgettable... with Love, also known as simply Unforgettable, is a 1991 album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released on June 11, 1991, the album includes covers of standards previously performed by her father, Nat King Cole. It was also her debut for Elektra Records, after being given her release from EMI Records.
Liberty! is a 1997 album by Mark O'Connor, which comprises his soundtrack to the six-part PBS series Liberty!. The album is composed mostly of period songs arranged by O'Connor, with the exception of "Freedom" and the theme for the series, written by O'Connor, entitled "Song of the Liberty Bell".
The American Seasons is an album by Mark O'Connor, recorded with the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. It is composed of three original orchestral works by O'Connor. First is his piece for violin and orchestra, "The American Seasons" loosely structurally based upon Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", and is conceptually a piece on American life, grounded in American folk music. "Strings & Threads Suite" follows, which traces O'Connor's "version of how folk music on the violin evolved in America" through thirteen pieces in progressively more modern styles. The album concludes with an arrangement of O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz, arranged for orchestra without soloist.
The Fiddle Concerto is an album by Mark O'Connor. It contains two pieces written by O'Connor, the first of which is a violin concerto in American fiddle style, commissioned by the Santa Fe Symphony and premiered in 1993. The second piece is a string quartet for violin, viola, cello, and double bass commissioned by the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in 1990.
In My Hands is an album by Natalie MacMaster, released in 1999 on the Rounder Records label. The album won the 2000 Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
The Night Atlanta Burned is the forty-sixth studio album by Chet Atkins, credited to "The Atkins String Co." — a quartet comprising Chet, Johnny Gimble, Paul Yandell and Lisa Silver. The album is a fusion of classical musical techniques with country, folk and bluegrass.
Natalie Haas is an American cellist, originally from Menlo Park, California. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she has toured and recorded extensively with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Also, she has toured and recorded with Mark O'Connor and his Appalachia Waltz Trio, and with Natalie MacMaster. She has appeared on more than 30 albums.
Don't Overlook Salvation is an album of gospel music by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. No Singles Were released from this album. Despite its lack of singles, the album was certified gold by the RIAA. On the inside of the cover is a painting by Ricky of Jesus rescuing a lamb.
The Art of the Song is an album by American jazz bassist Charlie Haden and his Quartet West, released in 1999. It reached number ten on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
Baby, It's Cold Outside is a Christmas album by Holly Cole. It was released in Canada in 2001 on Alert Records.
Heartstrings was the sixth and final solo album released by Canadian singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett and was released on CD by Bennett's own Bnatural Records in 1998.
Songs of Inspiration II is the twenty-first studio album and the second gospel album by American country music group Alabama, released on March 27, 2007. It was their final studio album for the RCA Records label.
American fiddle-playing began with the early settlers who found that the small viol family instruments were portable and rugged. According to Ron Yule, "John Utie, a 1620 immigrant, settled in the North and is credited as being the first known fiddler on American soil". Early influences were Irish fiddle styles as well as Scottish and the more refined traditions of classical violin playing. Popular tunes included "Soldier's Joy", for which Robert Burns had written lyrics, and other such tunes as "Flowers of Edinburgh" and "Tamlin," which were claimed by both Scottish and Irish lineages.
Celtic Woman: Voices of Angels is the eleventh studio album by the group Celtic Woman. Voices of Angels features vocalists Susan McFadden, Mairead Carlin, Éabha McMahon, and fiddler Tara McNeill, with former member Méav Ní Mhaolchatha as a guest. This was Celtic Woman's first album to feature their newest member Tara McNeill.
[1] 
