The Cradle of Harmony: William Sidney Mount's Violin and Fiddle Music

William Sidney Mount (1807–1868) was an accomplished American painter, but he had many other interests and talents as well, such as playing the fiddle. He also designed and patented a novel type of violin, which he called "The Cradle of Harmony." The songs on this album are played on one of three such extant instruments; they produce a rich and full sound and, thanks to their curved back, are louder than the standard model.

Most of the tunes come from Mount's manuscripts, though he is the original author of only "In the Cars on the Long Island Railroad," and are performed by violinist Gilbert Ross. Liner notes include information on Mount and his fiddle design as well as information on each track.

Track Listing

101	Willet's Hornpipe Gilbert Ross	00:47
102	Tis the Last Rose of Summer Gilbert Ross	01:21
103	Waltz Gilbert Ross	01:51
104	Merry Girls of New York Gilbert Ross	01:00
105	Yellow Hair'd Laddie Gilbert Ross	01:30
106	Stony Brook Moonshine Gilbert Ross	01:00
107	Yankee Hornpipe Gilbert Ross	00:52
108	Birks of Invermay Gilbert Ross	02:20
109	Brown Polka Gilbert Ross	00:55
110	In the Cars on the Long Island Railroad Gilbert Ross	01:00
111	Col. Thornton's Strathspey Gilbert Ross	01:57
112	Rosa Waltz Gilbert Ross	01:20
113	Cotillion in the Key of C, No. 2 Gilbert Ross	00:42
114	I'll Meet the Maid in the Moonlight Bower Gilbert Ross	01:20
115	Old Sussannah, Don’t You Cry for Me Gilbert Ross	00:55
116	Motion of the Boat Gilbert Ross	00:50
117	Gentle Annie Gilbert Ross	02:08
118	The Cachucha Waltz Gilbert Ross	01:32
201	Pittsburgh Hornpipe Gilbert Ross	00:49
202	Braes of Tullymet Gilbert Ross	01:34
203	Fashionable Schottisch Gilbert Ross	02:20
204	Fancy Dance Gilbert Ross	00:40
205	Miss Eleanor Robertson's Favorite Gilbert Ross	01:55
206	Possum Hunt Gilbert Ross	00:40
207	Middletown Hornpipe Gilbert Ross	00:48
208	Shawn Tanish Willichan Gilbert Ross	02:58
209	Jordan Jig Gilbert Ross	01:15
210	Cotillion in the Key of C, No.4 Gilbert Ross	01:15
211	The Braes of Athol Gilbert Ross	01:29
212	Bloomingdale's Waltz Gilbert Ross	01:26
213	Lord St. Vincent's Hornpipe Gilbert Ross	00:40
214	Highland Watch, Now the 42nd Regiment or Royal Highlanders Gilbert Ross	02:19
215	Uncle Ben's Favorite Gilbert Ross	01:26
216	Nancy Gill Gilbert Ross	00:45
217	First Sett, No.1 Gilbert Ross	01:24