Hanneke Cassel, “Trip to Walden Pond”
Label: self
Reviewed by: Kim Walter, June 2017

I never knew that musicians like Hanneke Cassel existed. She is a true virtuoso fiddler, as comfortable playing in a classical violin ensemble as she is knocking out a Scottish jig. And some of her music fuses the two. The album is all instrumental and all good. Choose by tempo and type of sound.

1. med – upbeat, fun fiddle tune
2. slow/med – gentle piano/fiddle
3. slow/med - fiddle dominant Highland Jig
4. slow/med – violin in classical string ensemble
5. slow – fiddle with orchestral backing, a Glenfinnian wedding song
6. med – dance jig, dedicated to fiddle masters Buddy MacMaster and Jerry Holland
7. slow – gentle violin and guitar
8. slow – quiet piano, melodic fiddle
9. med – jazzy traditional hybrid, interesting background noises
10. slow – violin in a classical ensemble
11. slow – expressive qualities of fiddle/violin, longing, hopeful