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COMMENT(S): pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month
Published: May 16, 2009
Author: JanetteMontague | (report inappropriate content) |
| It's always a great thing to get the story behind the music, particularly when so well researched and written. I'm reminded of the power of music. The French woman's loss, through a chance meeting, gets put into a piece of music, which gets taken up and played, years later, at a statue for not just hers, but for other fallen pipers. It's a strange mixture of a Waltz that IS, and yet its about one which MIGHT HAVE BEEN. I'm always intrigued by the function of music in a war zone. It seems to be a thing that carries people forward into the fray, is still played when wounded, and is still going strong at the point of communicating grief about one musicians death, to another musician still living, and when all's said and done, the music (hopefully) survives everybody.
I've been struggling with the written and the played versions, and have come to appreciate that the softer played dotted eighth then three sixteenth note patterns greatly reflect the woman, her feelings, the listening ear in the cafe, of George Stoddart, the sadness, and the way the tune has been carefully passed down through the years - while the 'written' triplets, coming in a sudden rush on the third of the six pulses, make me think of the harsh, often sudden reality of war. battle, sudden bad news, and the blow to the 'heart', of the loss of a loved one. A thing I really like about the melody is the way in which it launches back up to that high A, despite everything. Reminds me of the way in which the human spirit, no matter what befalls, seems to have an in-built need/wish/instinct to at least try to get back up after a fall. That is, if getting back up is an option. Unfortunately, as this story tells, many fell and didn't get back up. It's a great thing, imho, that George Stoddart listened to the woman in the cafe, and a great thing that we have this fine tune to commemorate the moment as well as the story behind it. |
Published: May 14, 2009
Author: RobMenzies | (report inappropriate content) |
| Great job again Jim. I remember that Red Hackle LP with the organ. Quite shocking that so many pipers lost their lives in World War 1 - certainly glad there is a dedicated memorial to them.
cheers - Rob |
Published: May 12, 2009
Author: Barpiper | (report inappropriate content) |
| Good stuff Jim. Thanks for the background. Your apt description does take me back to the days of putting the needle on that particular album on my parent's huge console stereo unit.
Bruce R. | |
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