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Notes
“The Great Waltz of China” is a modern classic composed by Mark Simos, a highly regarded songwriter and fiddler known for his ability to craft “new-traditional” tunes that feel like they’ve existed for centuries. A professor at Berklee College of Music, Simos has had his work recorded by luminaries such as Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs.
This particular waltz is celebrated for its elegant, flowing melody and its subtle, evocative harmonic shifts. It avoids the more dramatic flourishes of some concert waltzes in favor of a graceful, understated beauty that has made it a favorite for community dances and quiet sessions. The tune’s title reflects Simos’s playful wit, but the music itself is deeply sincere, offering fiddlers a wonderful canvas for expressive phrasing and smooth, lyrical bowing. It has become a staple in the New England and Old-Time repertoires, often chosen for its serene and timeless quality.