Fiddling Perfection From The Dance Halls Of Clare

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday January 20, 2007

Reviewed by Bruce Elder

MARTIN HAYES AND DENNIS CAHILL

City Recital Hall, January 18

THERE are moments, particularly as another jig moves towards a crescendo of lightning-fast notes played with breathtaking precision, when Martin Hayes's feet start rising and falling, tapping out the ever-faster rhythm. You sit transfixed, mouth open at the bravura of this extraordinary virtuoso and feel that if he wasn't bound to his seat, Hayes would take off, leap in the air, dance around the stage and hurl himself into a manic knees-up which would make Riverdance seem like a stately Pride of Erin.

Hayes is a strange, uniquely Irish contradiction. His emotional heart is in the noisy, vibrant pubs and dance halls but his playing skills - he must surely be the finest living Irish fiddler - are of such a standard that they deserve the silence and attentive listening of a concert hall. And certainly guitarist Dennis Cahill contributes to the overall sound with such subtlety that he can be fully appreciated only when the raucous sounds of Guinness slurping are not part of the ambience.

This was, as is always the case with this remarkable duo, a night of slack-jawed amazement. The playing is so good, so instinctive and intuitive, that it sets a benchmark that other players can only dream of attaining. The way they trade passages and push each other in new, exciting directions is extraordinary. It doesn't matter whether they are playing a sad, slow, melancholy piece like The Dear Irish Boy, nudging things to an almost rock'n'roll intensity on a reel like Farewell to Erin or sending showers of sparkling notes cascading over the audience with intense pieces like The Rolling Waves and High Jig. Every moment is memorable.

It is a magical experience to see Cahill attentively watching Hayes's every move and responding with perfect embellishments, and to see Hayes, eyes shut and curly locks swirling, immersing himself deeper and deeper in the timeless music of his native Clare.

This was a memorable evening of great virtuosity driven by a passionate love of tradition.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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