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O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 82

O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 82
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periodical Publisher
Regan Printing House, Chicago, 1913
periodical Editor
[none]
periodical Title
O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians
volume Number
1
issue Content
162Irish Minstrels and .MusiciansDuring a brief visit to Dublin in the summer of 19o6, the present writermade the acquaintance of the subject of this sketch at his residence, No. i8Armstrong Street, Harolds Cross. Being favorably impressed by his manner andmusic, the visit was repeated in the company of Rev. James K. Fielding, of Chi-.cago, next day. Of course, Mr. Rowsome put on the pipes and played hisfavorite tunes at a lively clipa trifle too lively for a dancer, we thought. That,however, is a mere matter of opinion. But the spirit of the music was in theperformer, unmistakably, for while he touched the keys of the regulators airilyand in good rhythm, his eyes sparkled with animation and his whole anatomyseemed to vibrate with a buoyancy which found suitable expression in the cleartones of his chanter. The instrument on which he played and that used by Prof.Denis OLeary, winner of the first prize at the Munster Feis a few days before,were Mr. Rowsomes own make. In finish and tone there was no cause forcriticism, unless possibly a grter volume of tone might be more desirable in alarge hail.Oldtime instruments in all stages of dilapidation were strewn about theshop awaiting repairs, the most remarkable being an immense set made on anoriginal design, and which had lain unused in a Clare cabin for many years.Always an impulsive enthusiast, my reverend countryman, Father Fielding, wasbound to take a shot at it with his ever-ready kodak. Yours truly was per-suadedvery reluctantly, thoughto hold up the framework of the wonderfulpipes to the proper level, it being understood that I was to constitute no part ofthe target. Standing sideways and leaning backward as far as equilibrium wouldpermit, my outstretched arms presented the derelict instrument in front of thecamera. Three months later the morning mail brought me a souvenir from thereverend photographer in which my distorted likeness was more prominent in thepicture than the pipes I had been holding!Commendably circumspect in his language and reference to others in hisprofession and trade, during our few hours stay, Mr. Rowsome has been almostas fortunate as Billy Taylor, of Philadelphia, in winning and retaining thegood will of his patrons and associates. The artistic temperament, however,may he accountable for many little misunderstandings which sensitive naturesmagnify into grievances.Never was there a greater surprise sprung on the old folks at home andthe promiscuous array of pipers, fiddlers and fluters at Ballintore and vicinitythan the discovery that Willie Rowsome had become an accomplished performeron the Inion pipes. Having moved to Dublin and married there in early man-hood, he was remembered by the people at home in Wexford only as a fine free-hand fiddler who could also do a little at the pipes. -Blood will tell and so heredity asserted itself in his case. Vvhen he paid avisit to the old homestead in the summer of 1911, his general execution and com-mand of the regulators was a revelation to his family and friends. Replying to aquestion as to the relative merits of William and Thomas Rowsome, John, thesenior brother, said: That is largely a matter of opinion; some would ratherWillies playing, others would prefer Toms. I believe Wilhe is just as goodas Tom, and his style is more staccato.In the language of an admirer who is himself a versatile musician, his stac-cato style is a marvel of dexterity, as it entails an expenditure of muscular energybeyond ordinary manual effort. His tipping and tripling are admirable, and hismanipulation of the regulators may well, in these degenerate days of piping, beregarded as an innovation in the art. In playing dance music, which he prefers,WILLIAM RO\VSOME163
issue Number
1
page Number
82
periodical Author
O'Neill, Capt. Francis
issue Publication Date
1913-01-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians

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