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Paul Anderson, one
of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians, has taken up an three-year
Fellowship at the Elpinstone Institute [University
of Aberdeen] to carry out a research project into the future of traditional
Scottish music in modern society. Well-known as a North-East fiddler, he is now working on a project aimed at
exploring the relationship between traditional fiddle styles and those of
modern fiddle players, and to re-connect
today’s musicians with North-East style and tradition.
The research –
believed to be the first of its kind in the UK – investigates the underlying
musical 'dialects' of the North-East fiddle tradition. The aim is to create a
firm foundation for future creative work and a benchmark for future research.
The project will see Paul travel throughout the North-East to introduce
Scottish traditional music to new audiences within local communities – and,
outside the region, to a wider national and international audience.
He says: ‘Scottish
traditional music, particularly fiddle music, thrives today with thousands
involved at all skill levels. Many younger players in Scotland, however, are
unaware of the characteristic, traditional markers of regional Scottish styles
and repertories, and addressing this issue is one of my main aims. […] The
music of the fiddle is an important part of the heritage of North-East
Scotland. As yet, no-one has explored the styles of playing or presented new
repertoires, either in formal concert settings or at informal gatherings of
musicians.’
Paul will employ a
variety of research methods during his study, including an archival study of
unpublished music collections and collaboration with older musicians. He will
also organise courses and workshops to develop new styles in group performance
and will introduce students to music and performance with which many will be
unfamiliar. To make this possible, he will draw extensively on the University’s
music collections in Historic Collections, including the Scott Skinner
Collection.
He will also be
involved in setting up the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, to be held in
Aberdeen on 26-30 July 2006.