your favorite violin or fiddle cuts, and why?

My very favorite is the Concerto for Violin/Viola by Mr. Mozart K 364. I have many recorded versions of this piece including the RCA Heiftez but my favorite was a live performance by a husband and wife team locally performed. It is just an extraordinary piece of music where the violin and viola talk to each other with passion and beautiful lyricism.

Bluegrass I would recommend Byron Berline with the Flying Burrito Brother's live performance recorded in the early 70's. The group features Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman and gang performing "The Orange Blossom Special". I like it because it is bluegrass at its toe tapping, foot stomping best!

Ah Doug Kershaw, do I remember him from the early 70's! What a great stage performer.

Eddie Jobson from the progressive rock group UK (UK, Danger Money; 1978, 1979).
Jean-Luc Ponty jazz fusion-rock (Enigmatic Ocean, Cosmic Messenger; 1977, 1978). Augmented the electric violin with guitarist pedals (echoplex,distortion,phase,wha,etc.)
Same things I played during that time.

Gideon Kremer: any Schnittke he performs is absolutely
out of this world because you have to play out of this world
to play Schnittke!

David LaFlamme of It's a Beautiful Day, song 'White Bird'

Kreisler playing his pieces - an artist from a different time - slower paced life, warm and nostalgic.