First published in the Guardian on 4 May, 2014
Scottish Ensemble/Stout/McKay
The Arches, Glasgow
“That was a wee bit of Bach for you, folks…†The Shetland fiddler Chris Stout had just arrived at the end of Bach’s Double Concerto more-or-less in one piece – “it’s been a while since I attempted something like that,†he told the audience with a sheepish grin. A polished performance of the concerto this was not, what with trains rumbling overhead, grungy basslines filtering in from the pub next door and some seriously ropey patches in Stout’s fingerwork. But it was spirited: hearty swing to the outer movements, a Largo embellished like an ancient lament, Stout’s foot tapping away session-style throughout.