An Píobaire

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Editorial

  The influence uilleann piping has had on other instrumentalists in Irish traditional music is an area which I have always been fascinated by. The names that come to mind in this regard include master musicians such as Noel Hill, Matt Molloy and of course the wonderful Dublin fiddle player Seán Keane.

I was listening recently to that wonderful recording Gusty’s Frolics which the virtuoso Dublin fiddle player Seán Keane made for Claddagh records in 1975. This was Seán’s first solo commercial recording and, among other things, it captures his interest and comprehensive knowledge of uilleann piping. A number of the tracks feature well-known piping tunes and Seán’s interpretation of them is a testimony to his astonishing creativity, technical ability and his appreciation of all aspects – technical and aesthetical – of the art of piping. His playing of “The Gold Ring” owes much to the version normally associated with Séamus Ennis, and his treatment of tunes such as “Strop the Razor”, “The Humours of Ballyloughlin” and “Fraher’s Jig” shows a comprehensive appreciation of the piping of Willie Clancy. My own favourite among these jigs is Seán’s rendition of “Strop the Razor” which owes much to Clancy’s playing of it. The tune is essentially a development of “The Cook in the Kitchen”, which was also played by Clancy.

In his version of the tune on the album Gusty’s Frolics, Seán captures many aspects of Willie’s playing. The Clancy influence is very prevalent in the slide from E through to F in the second octave in the first bar of the second part. Also of note in this regard are the quadruplets he employs largely in the second part of the tune which were such a predominant and indeed charming feature of the music of many prominent musicians from west Clare including Willie Clancy, Bobby Casey and Joe Ryan. On more generic level his cranning of the D in the first part is remarkable.

Seán Keane’s interpretation of these tunes from the repertoire of Willie Clancy on this recording is of interest on a number of fronts. For example, they demonstrate how the music and technique of a virtuoso piper made such an impact on one of the most gifted fiddle players of all time that the latter obviously devoted a huge amount of time and energy into developing a way of sympathetically and accurately interpretting many of the intricate nuances of the pipes on his own instrument. No mean feat by any standards! As well as that I would suggest that pipers have much to learn from Seán Keane’s performance of these tunes very much associated with the piping tradition. It seems to me that these tremendous recordings offer pipers interesting and challenging opportunities to revisit these tunes and to draw on Seán's unique and insightful approach to these absolute bedrocks of the piping repertoire.

In Ireland at least the winter is a good time for piping. For one thing, the pipes seem less temperamental and the urge to practice, for me at least, is harder to resist than at other times of the year. As well as that there are usually some attractive events to attend. One piping event which has become increasingly popular in recent years is the Leo Rowsome event which will be held on Saturday 27 February 2010. All lovers of Leo's music and pipe making are sure to enjoy the activities which will include reed making with Andreas Rogge and Michael O'Donovan, who makes both reeds for the pipes and the bassoon. As well as that there will be an opportunity for Pipe-Makers to showcase their instruments.

Speaking of events our annual Tionól will be held the weekend of 28 -30 May in the Step House Hotel in Borris, County Carlow and will as ever have a number of compelling and interesting activities including lectures, classes and recitals. Further afield we will be holding a sponsored cycle from Dublin to Miltown Malbay to raise money to purchase pipe making equipment on the first weekend of July to coincide with the commencement of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. We would encourage anyone with an interest in the noble arts of uilleann piping and cycling to contact the NPU office but hasten to add that we would advise against any attempts to play the pipes during the actual cycle. There will be plenty of time for that afterwards!

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy and peaceful Christmas and every good wish for the coming year.

Robbie Hannan, Chairman