Ashokan Farewell, performed by Jessica McAllister 

Scotland and Appalachia have a lot in common, including the mountain range.

​@@pwcomps Well it was where alot of the scottish highland diaspora settled after the clearances.. and beyond their roots run very deep and strong through the place.

Transcends the boundaries of time. And I’m sure would’ve been received by my Grandfathers in the trenches before a Petersburg, or when all was quite on the Potomac.

How sweet are you?! Thank you SO much!

Yeah, I agree, except for once when a street musician (busker) in Seattle whipped out an incredibly impactfull rendition when I asked her if she knew it... people had tears in their eyes before she was done. I was in if them. I left her my last five dollars. I wonder...

Thank you sincerely for a most delicate rendition of this thoroughly comprehensive expression of remembrance, or a depiction of a way of life that was almost forgotten in our near constantly inter-connective-ness. Your most impressive interpretation and violin skills have perhaps also allowed other listeners to be more thoroughly immersed in Jay Ungar’s endearing piece.

@@timothymccarthy7048 What a gracious reply. I agree 100 percent. Cheers!

I understand completely! Music is amazing like that, isn't it! And no time like today for your violin! I always tell my students - the hardest part is getting it out of the case to practice. Once you start, it's not so daunting! Even if it's just 15 minutes a day, you'll feel so great having done it!

Aw that's so sweet of you! I'm not her but it's sweet to be so kind.

To truly understand what it means to be American, one must understand the War

@@ernesthill4017 - What must one conclude about the supporters of the confederacy? Was it a war of patriotism, a war to defend states rights, war for love of their beloved states (Lee for Virginia) or to defend their way of life (aka right to preserve slavery in the south)? I am sure southern soldiers fought for a myriad of reasons and not one. I am not being snarky. Just trying to understand truly. As you would imagine, there is precious sympathy for those who wanted to continue slavery. I am from India. We were a colony of the British empire which I find abhorrent. Slavery as a policy is therefore deplorable in my mind. I have tried to find sympathy for the soldiers of the confederacy as well who were fighting for the leaders of the confederacy and the rich slaveholders (who I am sure did not send their own sons to die).

@@anakinskywalkerii4350 well, if I may be a bit snarky... It's complicated.And it ISN'T. But, yeah, all of the points that you raised are worthy of consideration. The one thing that I do not accept is the officers who broke their oaths to preserve, protect and defend the constitution- even R.E. Lee- they were traitors, oath breakers, dishonest and absolutely untrustworthy (after breaking an oath that they swore, hand on the Bible that they claimed to hold sacred). VERY FEW Confederate officers did not try to disingenuously justify their willingness to swear on their honor, and then abandon those paths and that 'honor'. The few that admitted that they had changed their minds about what honor was were at east willing to admit that they were liars and craven untrustworthy despicable dishonest un-American treasonous rebels. There are NO GRAY AREAS for people that held their honor as sacred, and then abandoned it for the ultimate cause of white supremacy. (It is absurd to think that the Civil War was about anything else than that! ...Just read the Confederate Constitutional convention, the Confederate state constitutions, Speeches by Jefferson Davis, the Confederate electoral platform, etc, etc, etc... and how they ALL say that there is a self evident truth, under GOD, that the natural state of the Negro is to be subservient to the Superior White Man. (Funny how women, white or otherwise, aren't mentioned, eh?)

@@anakinskywalkerii4350 It is not complicated. (Though I can see how, even a hundred and sixty years later, the lies and racist crap still are able to confuse what is, really, a really simple thing- the secessionist leaders in the south were EVIL. (If evil exists, if not, then they were merely despicable deplorable hateful horrible people...) From the Confederate Constitution: "It's foundations are laid, it's cornerstone rests, in the great truth that the Negro is NOT equal to the White Man." Pretty simple, eh? (And then there is Robert E Lee, and all of the other officers that put their hands on a Bible that they believed in and swore to pee, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and, as soon as it became apparent that holding to their oaths would mean giving up their slaves, broke those most sacred of oaths and went to war to continue their ability to 'wring their bread from the sweat of other men's faces: (keep their slaves!) Yeah, what a bunch of honorable men. (Despicable, dishonest, oath breaking, untrustworthy, violent, treasonous rebels... Pieces of shit, frankly

It is very remanisrnt of the "fluers o the forest"

This was a beautifully written comment! 🥰

its not an out of date song! its just the song for round 2!!! >:)

That's a bloody joke : this piece of music has nothing to do with the Civil War of the USA in 1861-65. Or any war. Originally ... this was written like a romantic scottish lament or complain, in 1982 in New York.

I think what the commenter is referring to is that this piece transports them there. That's what music is all about, after all. While a contemporary composition, it's an old soul. ❤️

@@jeansentrais9866 the award for reading my comment but lacking the comprehensive skills to understand it and still replying to it making a blundering fool of yourself goes to you buddy……………..

Well... except that this lovely lament, composed by Jay Ungar, has absolutely Zero to do with the American Civil War... or Any war. It was written in the early 1970, and was merely chosen by Ken Burns as a recurring theme in his series in the late '80s. 🙄

@@conradinhawaii7856 so what? It is a beautiful piece that evokes the time very well. He uses period music as well and this fits in perfectly.

Ken burns best narrator I've ever heard

@@JohnAnglin-lh7bs😂

This piece was ideal... and perfect... for Ken Burns' The Civil War.

Thanks, Don! I'm glad you found it, too :)

Women are the best fiddle players. Gentler on the strings I guess.

Hahaha! I guess so!

@@tedc7714 Gentler on the eyes too...😉

@@sherp2u1 Creepy little twat.

Thank you so much, Michael! Your comment means the world to me :)

Absolutely beautiful

Thank you! I know that music can be a great comfort during rough times. I hope it helped bring you peace!

+Bailey Sucha -- Thank you for your sweet comment! It really is a beautiful piece of music and a wonderful choice for processional :) Best of luck at your wedding!

Bailey Sucha she plays at weddings, may be you're close. She is a wonderful violinist

+Bailey Sucha, it's true-- I do play at weddings! I didn't want to step on anyone's toes in case you already had a violinist lined up, but if you're in the state of Utah, please feel free to contact me for a quote if you're interested. :) My website is jessicamcallister.com

@@firststringviolinist I have just come across your video you played great

I hope you are happily married now

Thank you very much! I am so thrilled that you enjoyed it :)

Awww - what a sweet comment! It totally made my night ☺️ I'm so glad you like it!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that :) And thank you for taking the time to comment. It made my day!

Well, I'm glad it did:). Maybe this is just me, but I find many musicians don't quite capture the emotions in the piece, and in some performances the double stops were harsh, the grace notes stilted. Yours is completely natural, capturing every emotion Jay Ungar intended.

You are so sweet! Thank you! I'm always cussing my double stops, so I really appreciate that compliment! I think a common issue for a lot of musicians (myself included often enough) is that they try SO hard to make everything flawless that they end up forcing the music out and forfeiting the emotion. I'm beyond grateful that it was able to shine through in this recording! :)

Yes, double stops are the bane of my existence haha. And yes, it is too easy to force a piece out, especially if the performer is nervous. For me, I worry incessantly about my tone and intonation, which ironically causes it to sound poorly.

You're not alone! The violin is SO difficult to get just right. . . and some days, it royally kicks my trash. . . even after playing for 20 years. hahaha! How long have you been playing?

Thank you so much! I hope your lessons are going well, too :) The violin can be one of the most mesmerizing and inspirational instruments out there, so keep up the hard work!

Better than Jay Unger. Sitting down now to learn it.

Why thank you! What a compliment! I wish you the best of luck. I know you'll do great :)

Sorry for the delay in responding... YT makes finding approved comments in reply threads almost impossible to find! I had to manually scroll and look for it 🤣 The playing is going well! Just got back from the studio, in fact. I'll be working with a new cinematographer in the coming months to launch a new (professional quality) video! I'm so excited! Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it ♥️

Thank you so very much! I like to think so, too 🥰

Hahaha! Randall, your comment made me laugh out loud! 😂 I'm so glad they touched your soul in a good way, 'cause Heaven knows that there are plenty of double stops that have the opposite reaction 😜

Yaaaaay! I love that so much 😍❤️🙌

Thank you for your sweet comment! The little girl in my video is my daughter and I love getting to look back on when she was such a fun age! Kids really are special, aren't they?! ♥️

From the first notes i was in tears, and i am musician for long time (pianist). That deepness and genuinely in the play have pierced everything in my soul ! Thank you for that performance 🙏

Thank you so much! Music can definitely take us places, can't it! It's unlike anything else. I'm so happy to enjoyed my version! And it means a lot to me that you took the time to comment. It made my evening! ❤️

I couldn't agree more! It's such a beautiful piece with a lot of hidden depth and emotion. :) It's one of those pieces that can touch your heart in different ways depending on what's going on in your life when you hear it.

+Jackson Smith - What a sweet comment! It really made my day. I hope to record Jay and Molly's "Lover's Waltz" when I'm at the studio again later this year. I'll be sure to upload it (one way or another) so you can hear it! Thanks again for your thoughtful comment!

Jessica McAllister 6

It is so beautiful Jessica that it made me cry. Made me homesick in my own home. Awesome Job!

I just love this music,thank you

I'm so glad you liked it 😍

Hahahaha! In my experience, violinists are very hard on themselves. It's probably MUCH prettier than you think! Keep practicing and don't give up! And like I always tell my violin students - HAVE FUN. Don't overthink it. Let the music move through you instead of trying to force it. It might not be perfect, but that will come in time. 👍

I normally don't! HAHAHA! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

You're welcome... I think! 😜 hahaha!

What an honor! Thank you so much ❤️ It's definitely one of those pieces that has huge potential for a raw emotional impact on listeners (and performers). I'm beyond thrilled that I was able to portray that in my video. Thanks again! Wishing you all the best!

@@firststringviolinist Well, we love you, Ms. Jessica McAllister. Not, perhaps as a distraction from better things said by better men, by thought by better men but . . . .

thank you again Ma'am. Please continue to share the wonderful music. Thank you.

I couldn't agree more! Haha! Thanks for the kind comment 🥰

That's excellent news! I'm glad it's getting better and better instead of the opposite 😜

You're most welcome! Thank you for your sweet comment! ❤️

Thank you so very much! ♥️ I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!

Thank you very much, Sally! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. And thank you for taking the time to comment! It made my day :)

Thank you very much! I'm so glad you liked it :)

Thank you very much! 💕

Why, thank you! ♥️

Why, thank you! I once had a student request that I teach her "Schindler's List" and I *gasped* a little inside. That's another one of those pieces that looks one way on paper and entirely different once you start trying to play it. 🤣 And, yes! I warn my beginners that they (and their families) will have Twinkle Twinkle stuck in their heads for a looooong time.

Love that! Thank you so much! ❤️

Thank you so very much! 💕

Thank you, Pat! Your comment made my night! I'm so glad you enjoyed it ♥️

Thank you!

Awww! I love that! Thank you so very much! 💗

Thank you very much! And I agree about enjoying other instruments... wouldn't it be dull if everyone played the same thing? :)

Golly - I feel so fancy now! Hahaha! Thank you for your sweet comments! I'm so happy you subscribed, as well. I wish you the best of luck as you find what works best for your playing style. And, hey, don't forget to have fun and enjoy yourself! Sometimes we musicians strive for perfection at the expense of feeling the "soul" of the piece. Let it speak TO you so it can speak THROUGH you 👍 You're going to do great!

What a sweet comment, Kevin! Thank you so very much! I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊

Awww! Thank you! I'm so glad you think so 🥰

@@firststringviolinist 💖💖

Why, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it 😊

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

Aww, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it ♥️

I'm so glad to hear that she's settled in New York! And I often think back fondly on my time spent with your family! I had such an enjoyable time :) I'll work on uploading something new once the craziness of the holidays dies down! Thanks for the encouragement 👍

Thank you very much! I'm so pleased you liked it 👍

I'm so glad to hear that!

Thank you very much!

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it! And you're right - it really IS hard to believe. Some music has an "old soul", and this is definitely one of those pieces!

Wow I would never have guessed I'm older than it! If asked to guess I'd have gone for 1700 something.

Thank you!! It's definitely one of my favorite pieces :)

Thank you very much! I'm so glad you liked it. I hope to be able to make more, too! I did get one posted this last Christmas and I love the way it turned out. Let me know what you think of it! [I've attached the link below so you can find it easily :) ] ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7geaqxrz_Bg.html

Thank you, Susan! I'm so thankful for your comment - it made my day! ♥️

Thank you so much! Playing in nature really is a special experience... I highly recommend it :) Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Thank you very much, Mark! I'm thrilled that you like it 👍

Thank you very much! I hope all is well in Bulgaria :)

@@firststringviolinist How do I do this? In what sense? Is there anything in mind?🤔

Thank you very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

Thank you very much, Bill! I'm tickled you liked it! I hope all is well down South :)

I hope that's the case! 🤣

Thank you so much! And, hey, even if you HAVE commented before, it's good to have you back for more. Hahaha!

You're most welcome, kind sir! I'm glad you liked it :)

I'm sooooo glad!

Thank you so very much! 😍

Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it 😊

Oh, I'm so glad you chose it, too! Thank you for the sweet comment :)

Awwww! How sweet are you?! Thank you so very much!

I'm so glad! ❤️💕

Thank you so very much! I'm glad you've discovered it now!

+BoushTV -- Thank you! I appreciate that you took the time to comment :)

Awww! Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear that 🥰

Thank you so very much! ❤️