NATALIE & BRITTANY HAAS
Sisters Natalie (cello) and Brittany Haas (fiddle) began their musical lives together, filling their childhood home with Bach suites and Old-Time tunes alike. It was on their own, however—following divergent paths through disparate musical traditions, countries, and cultures—that they both arrived as virtuosi and composers at the highest levels of contemporary string music. Fans of acoustic music can hardly mention one without referencing the other’s work.
Credited with putting cello on the map of contemporary Celtic music, Natalie brings a wealth of world influences to her instrument, fashioning a tone and rhythmic sense that transcends any single tradition. Along with her longtime collaborator Alasdair Fraser, with whom she has released seven albums, Natalie has charted a new course through the string music of Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and beyond—all without losing the influence of classical technique or her American roots, the combination of which have been on display since her earliest years, particularly in her remarkable ease in toggling between the worlds of traditional fiddle camps and Juilliard, where she studied classical performance.
Among the most influential fiddlers of her generation, Brittany has combined a world-renowned virtuosity with a musical sensibility all her own—a combination that has gained the attention, and elicited the admiration, of some of the greatest musicians in the world. Having studied under Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger, Brittany went on to join Anger’s Republic of Strings, Crooked Still, Tony Trischka and Steve Martin, Dave Rawlings Machine, her own quartet Hawktail, Chris Thile’s “Live From Here,” and most recently, Punch Brothers. Brittany’s fiddle has made waves throughout American music, crossing genres and generations in a new approach to her instrument.
These two brightest lights of contemporary strings join forces as a duo all their own. It is a collaboration a lifetime in the making, and a music encompassing travels through time and through the world. From Nashville to Norway, the Celtic Isles to California, Natalie and Brittany have absorbed, adapted, and made their own world of music. The result? HAAS.
“I think I've listened to and loved every recording Natalie and Brittany Haas have made down through the years, but I have been waiting for this recording of just the two of them. Chops, verve, taste and musicality... phew. I love every note. I continue to be in awe of Natalie and Brittany–stars of their or any generation. "Haas" is a stunningly gorgeous album from two of my absolute favorite musicians.” - Liz Carroll
“Anyone who has experienced Brittany or Nataile Haas' music knows that they are each among the most exciting, moving musicians in the Acoustic String Music Universe. Thus, the prospect of both of them together brings an almost unbearably joyful fulfillment of just about every musical desire: a Major Event in our Musical History. And those who don't know – I'm giving you my absolute best advice here – Buy this recording now! Get it! Don't even wait three minutes. Make sure your floor is clean because you'll be feeling around down there for your jaw while your feet and legs are off dancing around the room on their own.” - Darol Anger
Press Photos
Photo by Noah Altshuler
Photo by Noah Altshuler