Mode of Program Participation
Performances and Arts
Participation Type
Performance
Presentation #1 Title
Contemporary Arrangements of Appalachian Fiddle Tunes for String Quartet
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This will be a performance of arrangements of traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes by a string quartet. Fiddle tunes of the Appalachian region are beautiful, memorable melodies and an important part of the global cultural patrimony. This collection of fiddle tunes arranged for string quartet (two violins, viola, cello) is by no means the first of its kind, but I believe that I bring a unique artistic perspective. It is hoped that this collection of fiddle tunes arranged for string quartet will increase the awareness of Appalachian cultural traditions internationally. I attempted to locate tunes that have been in circulation in the Appalachian mountains for generations by finding commonalities amongst a number of different historic sources, including early field recordings, the set lists for various Barn Dance Radio Shows (including John Lair's Renfro Valley), the repertoire of important fiddlers such as Doc Roberts, and John F. Smith's Tune Lists from Berea College. After compiling a list of tunes that remained in circulation for several generations, songs were chosen based on artistic preference. The presentation will also include an arrangement of and originally composed fiddle tune. The performance will last around 20 minutes.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Michael Luchtan is an internationally recognized musician, scholar, and composer. Past projects include an in-depth study, performance, and translation of the works of José Alfredo Jiménez, founding director of the Asheville Tango Orchestra, and large scale experimental instrument installations for the Black Mountain College Museum. Luchtan is a graduate student in Appalachian Studies at ETSU.
Contemporary Arrangements of Appalachian Fiddle Tunes for String Quartet
This will be a performance of arrangements of traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes by a string quartet. Fiddle tunes of the Appalachian region are beautiful, memorable melodies and an important part of the global cultural patrimony. This collection of fiddle tunes arranged for string quartet (two violins, viola, cello) is by no means the first of its kind, but I believe that I bring a unique artistic perspective. It is hoped that this collection of fiddle tunes arranged for string quartet will increase the awareness of Appalachian cultural traditions internationally. I attempted to locate tunes that have been in circulation in the Appalachian mountains for generations by finding commonalities amongst a number of different historic sources, including early field recordings, the set lists for various Barn Dance Radio Shows (including John Lair's Renfro Valley), the repertoire of important fiddlers such as Doc Roberts, and John F. Smith's Tune Lists from Berea College. After compiling a list of tunes that remained in circulation for several generations, songs were chosen based on artistic preference. The presentation will also include an arrangement of and originally composed fiddle tune. The performance will last around 20 minutes.
