Childsplay in Concert, with singer Aoife O'Donovan
(Past) Thu, Dec 3 at 8 pm |
  |
The fiddle extravaganza Childsplay will bring its celebrated group of fiddlers and other musicians from around the United States to perform in their New York debut. Made up of some of the best fiddlers in the nation, the group has the distinction of playing on violins and violas crafted by violinmaker Bob Childs of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Known to its audience as a celebration of spirited, innovative and exuberant music, this special evening will allow the audience a rare glimpse into the intricate weavings of the beautiful singing of Aoife O'Donovan, lead vocalist with the acclaimed band Crooked Still, with the voices of the violins made by the same violinmaker. Formed in 1986, the special sound of Childsplay lies not only in the skill of the musicians but also in the familial timbre of the instruments they play - a quality similar to the vocal blending of singers from the same family.
Whether performing at The Smithsonian Institution, before international world music audiences in Europe or for public radio audiences throughout the United States, in 24 years of touring and performing Childsplay has introduced many thousands to the delights of the traditional and contemporary fiddle music, song and dance of Ireland, Quebec, Scotland, Cape Breton and Appalachia, as well as to the exciting contemporary compositions of many members of the group. The level of musicianship in Childsplay is unsurpassed, with players ranging from members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the leading virtuosos of these various fiddle traditions.
In addition to Aoife O'Donovan, the line up for this year's concert will feature all-Ireland harpist Kathleen Guilday; the acclaimed Irish flute player Shannon Heaton, violinist Bonnie Bewick from the Boston Symphony Orchestra; all-Ireland fiddler Sheila Falls-Keohane; Ellen Gawler from Maine; national Scottish fiddling champion Hanneke Cassel; renowned New England fiddlers Bob Childs, Laurel Martin, Sarah Thomae, Sam Amidon, Naomi Morse, Amanda Cavanaugh, Debby Knight and Lissa Schneckenburger; and the great Virginia fiddlers Steve Hickman, and father and son combination of Joe and Graham DeZarn. The rhythm section will feature Keith Murphy on guitar, Ariel Friedman and Elsie Gawler on cello, John Gawler on banjo and Ralph Gordon on bass. Dancing in this year's concert will be step-dancer Mattie Olwell.
Bob Childs, the artistic director of Childsplay, has spearheaded this endeavor by drawing in fiddlers who have purchased his instruments over the years, as well as musicians and dancers he has met along the way. Year after year he crafts these shows and creates inspiring events that are both a celebration of the beautiful and diverse voices of the violin and are a tribute to the masterful musicians who perform in the concerts.
The group's passion, authenticity and artistry declare that traditional music and dance are alive and well in North America. Captivating, inspiring, entertaining, life-affirming, call it what you will, the stick-to-your-ribs fiddling of Childsplay has become a jewel in the crown of American music.
