Tim Kliphuis Trio

20 Mar 2009 in Highland, Music

Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye, 17 March 2009

“I HATE what you’re doing to my grandfather’s music!”

Tim Kliphuis

Tim Kliphuis sprinkles his performance with little anecdotes, then allows his music to do the rest. Apparently, Strauss with swing didn’t amuse the composer’s grandson at the annual Richard Strauss festival in Germany.

This classically-trained Dutch violinist specialises in crossing musical boundaries, blending gypsy jazz with classical and folk music, and it’s obviously fun. He is currently swinging through the Highlands with his “two best friends in music”, Nigel Clark (guitar) and Roy Percy (double bass) – a trio of superb soloists with an uncanny ability to make music with one voice.

Their Skye programme began innocently enough with a Grappelli-flavoured How About You? and After You’re Gone. Then the Strauss Lullaby, written for soprano singer and symphony orchestra, became jazz with Brazilian elements, humour, technical brilliance, classical accuracy, and gypsy passion.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D major and Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba came in for similar treatment later in the evening, alongside Duke Ellington and Rabbie Burns. The audience loved it.

Together and in solo mode, the three musicians took virtuosity to a new level. Nigel Clark’s stunning dexterity on guitar drew gasps from the audience, while Roy Percy enticed sounds from the bass that seemed physically impossible to produce. Meanwhile, Kliphuis was bowing notes so high and clear, his violin seemed to have a voice of its own.

It wasn’t all fire and pace. Violin and guitar came together a couple of times in a delicate interchange that demanded (and received) precision technique and timing. The audience stilled, as the passion poured rich and warm and smooth. Some of it was even Scottish – jazzy Scottish, with a nod towards Rab in Red Rose Calypso and Couscous and Butter.

Finally, a Kliphuis arrangement of the Skye Boat Song – with swing, of course – conceived on the island and premiered at this venue two years ago. The Tim Kliphuis Trio will be welcome back anytime.