Episode 28. In Ossian's Cave
Sunday, 22nd July 2007, 5.05pm, Radio Scotland
James MacPherson’s romantic retelling of the tales of Ossian was the literary toast of Europe, and in the inevitable critical backlash that followed, it was also derided as fake Celtic culture. As John Purser discovers, the truth is somewhere in the middle. John reveals literary and musical responses to Ossian, from the ancient Fenian Lays with their origins over a millennium ago, to 18th century versions in English, and the piano music of Erik Chisholm in the 1900s.
Episode Playlist
- Trad. arr Heymann - Airs by Fingal
Ann Heymann
CD The Harper’s Land
Temple COMD 2012 - Allan MacDonald ‘s an oidhche Ossianic laoidh
BBC Recording - James Oswald - Song of Selma: ‘It is night, I am alone’
Susan Hamilton, soprano David Greenberg, violin Alison McGillivray, cello
BBC recording - Trad - Air to which Ossian was recited
Bonnie Rideout & Eric Rigler
CD Celtic Circles
Maggie’s Music MMCD209 - Erik Chisholm - Night Song of the Bards (Six Nocturnes for Piano)
Second Bard: Allegro tempestuoso
Murray McLachlan
CD Erik Chisholm Piano Music
Olympia OCD 639 - Erik Chisholm - Night Song of the Bards (Six Nocturnes for Piano)
Finale (The Chief): Adagio
Murray McLachlan
CD Erik Chisholm Piano Music
Olympia OCD 639
