Scottish Fantasy

The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major, Op. 46, is a composition for violin and orchestra by Max Bruch. Completed in 1880, it was dedicated to the virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate.

It is a four-movement fantasy on Scottish folk melodies. The first movement is built on a tune variously identified as "Auld Rob Morris" or "Through the Wood Laddie". This tune, with its prominent Scots snap, also appears at the end of the second and fourth movements. The second movement is built around "The Dusty Miller", the third on "I'm A' Doun for Lack O' Johnnie", and the fourth movement includes a sprightly arrangement of "Hey Tuttie Tatie", the tune in the patriotic anthem "Scots Wha Hae" (with lyrics by Robert Burns).

In paying homage to Scottish tradition (although the composer only visited Scotland a year after the premiere, he had access to a collection of Scottish music at Munich library in 1868), Bruch's composition gives a prominent place to the harp in the instrumental accompaniment to the violin.

The Scottish Fantasy is one of several signature pieces by Bruch that is still widely heard today, along with the first violin concerto and the Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra.

Bruch composed the work in Berlin during the winter of 1879–1880. Despite the dedication to Sarasate, Joseph Joachim was involved in the fingering and bowing of the solo part prior to the composition going to press at Simrock as Fantasie: für die Violine mit Orchester und Harfe unter freier Benutzung schottischer Volksmelodien, Op. 46.

...
Wikipedia