Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Queen Elizabeth is making an historic visit to Ireland presently and apparently along with the usual functions, she is being entertained at various time by traditional musicians. There was a young lady playing a harp yesterday with the older metal strings as far as I know and various other trad line ups are planned. For myself, I had a run through the tune, The Princess Royale last night, one of the many such tunes that seem to be common between the cultures of these islands.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no royalist, though it really is none of our business how neighbouring states appoint their titular heads. However, it is quite extraordinary that no British head of state has visited this Republic of Ireland for near enough a century and yesterdays events had a real genuine historic feel to them. Yes, there's the obvious reasons why this has been the case but nonetheless, it's still remarkable given the very close business and family ties. For myself, I have a sister happily married in London and a brother who spent maybe 25 years working over there and that'd be very typical in most Irish families. And of course, many people who frequent this site are based in the UK somewhere. So I welcome the queen on her visit to these shores and hope she has a pleasant and peaceful journey.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I agree with the Prof. Can we keep the discussions focussed on trad music ? As for the Queen, if you like her so much you can keep her as far as I'm concerned.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Stoneboy, I'm merely reflecting what I would think is the fairly average reaction of most Irish people. And trad music is bound up in all of this - how many trad musicians from this country migrated and emigrated to Britain and found a livliehood there, something this state failed to provide them with. It'd be churlish and mean spirited not to recognise that. No, we don't want your royal family - that's up to you, none of our business..
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
What I meant was can we discuss a musical topic, most of your OP is not about music. As for Liz, I agree she and her brood are our problem, can't blame me for trying though.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Prof., I have no idea what Siobhan Armstrong played but if it was Baroque style etc., I'd be amazed if it didn't include some Carolan tunes. And if you're saying that Carolan has no trad connection, that'd be a fairly narrow viewpoint.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I dunno - don't they run harp classes down at Scoil Samhradh Willie Clancy? Can't be entirely dead! And we know a family near enough whose daughters have played a bit of harp. Also of curiousity, there's apparently also some connection between the British royals and the old Irish flag and emblem of the harp.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Hussar, I think you'd agree with me that the bardic harping Carolan was part of tradition was dead by the early 19th century. Traditional music as we have it today is a separate development altogether. Ofcourse there are people playing harps today and lovely too but there's no unbroken tradition that connects them to the old harpers.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
You could be right, Prof. but it also seems that many of these things are buried in the mists of time and folk music didn't leave too many records behind. Who knows what musical links lay between the gentry and the 'big houses' and the music of the common people. It seems that living musical traditions are influenced both by what went before and what is around at any given time?
Anyway, it is an historic event (of far more significance and relevance than Obama's visit in a few days) and serves to remind us that we have a great deal in common with our nearest neighbour, both musically and otherwise.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
There's a great piping solo on it, isn't there - very evocative of the wee boat being tossed and turned on the ocean waves. But don't go there - Ilig don't like those inferences!!
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Well, Either you love or loath the Queen it seems over here on this Island.. But I hear in her young days she loved Traditional music
and danced it very often. Her favourite tune was this little Scot's gem - jim,,,
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
'the pipes a little curragh battling a sea of orchestration' - that's a pretty good description alright! Not really my choice of music these days - but you can see the skill & vision of the composer.
That's an interesting note, Fiddle4 and I did catch part of an RTE documentary last night which showed her having quite close connections with Northern Ireland back in the late 1940's as well obviously as Scotland. But I don't agree that you either 'love or loath' the Queen. I'd say there's a mature degree of indifference amongst many residents south of the border - they'd take an interest in them the way people follow a soap opera on TV or read the gossip columns but that's about it. There is a middle ground of indifference - probably quite different to that north of the border.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I believe that the Chieftains will be performing during the visit. If I met the Queen I would thank her and her subjects for feeding our family during the second world war when my Dad, an old IRA man, had to emigrate to England to get work.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
It is quite notable the role of music in events like these where there is so much symbolism and ceremony. Very striking to hear both God Save the Queen and Amhrán na bhFiann played one after the other in places like the Garden of Remembrance yesterday. Little is said by way of speeches in the nature of these things but the music carries a lot of nuance. Earlier today a lone piper was playing the air of Oft in the Stilly Night at a ceremony remembering those Irish who fought and died in the first and second world wars. Having two grandfathers who survived the first world war, these events and the music really strike a chord.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Off to Croke Park, home of the GAA this afternoon - Artane Boys Band (brass band type of thing - I know someone who was in it when it was an escape from worse problems) and also some trad set dancers from Abbeyknockmoy in Co.Tipperary, I think.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
"FIDDLE 4 - Somewhat ironic that the Queen's favourite should be an old Jacobite song." stoneboy2
Not really. She's a direct descendant of the Bonny Prince's father. Interestingly that line also claim some descent from; that famous kidnap rapper "Nial of the Nine Hostages", former semi-mythical pagan high king of Tara.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
When are they going to realize that we, of the Western European Islands.. That if we don't stick together economically anyway, we are going to be ****** with a Capital F
: )
jim,,,
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Just got the OP. Nice sentiments, WH.
I'm no royalist whatsoever, but just for one 'she' is being put to good use.
Strikes me as daft that we brethren of these Isles shouldn't get on as such.
'The Independent' here in the U.K. has a nice editorial the other day, gist of which was, it's about time that the modern-day English/British acknowledged as such the attrocities visited on Ireland in their predecessors' name, and about time that the modern-day Irish agreed that the best thing is to move on and not harbour grudges. Hopefully, this visit is a step in that process.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Just seen a video clip, Did not think the Queen would try the Guinness. But the old Duke was surely tempted, pity he did'nt for he would have realised its the only thing worth putting in a Pint Glass ; )
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Ian, I think most people here in Ireland would agree with you. Mind you, there is an alternative view and some violence broke out yesterday on Dublin streets following a peaceful protest. Amazingly, it was reported that some of the lads throwing bottles and fireworks at the Gardai were wearing Manchester United shirts - talk about double standards and warped thinking!
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Apologies - I was trying to discipline myself to follow my own advice and stick to the subject of the music, but could not resist that last snipe. I will now bow out of this thread in disgrace.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I was waiting for this discussion!
I think I would have prefered the music involved in HRH's visit be performed on the pipes... Symbolic if nothing else.
But it seems that she is going out of her way to, I think the word used on BBC was, acknowledge some of the past.
Being American, I don't have the cultural background to correctly interpret that if it is an incorrect statement. But If nothing else, it was about time for some outreach from Crown.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Well, it cuts both ways, Zippy. There wasn't much point in offering to come before now if the invitation was not likely to be extended. Re instruments, I think the emphasis is on a variety of different aspects of Irish history & culture. One or two pipers would be more than enough, IMVHO!! - apologies to TSS and the Prof but too much of a good thing becomes wearisome!!
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I am not at all in favour of getting the pipes out to project some sort of Irishness, it doesn't do the instrument much justice. It's a bit like they did putting Liam O Flynn at some streetcorner for the Dalai Lama's visit.
So don't worry about me. What I have seen of it, it was fine as it was.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
A momentous day indeed.
And hopefully the country moves forward.
Last month a group of us were visiting the Ulster Tower at the Somme bedecked in GAA jerseys as we were representing the gAA on the visit to the World War 1 sites, and laying a wreath at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
Things are moving on.
To keep it musical I sang (if it can be called that) at Willie McBride's grave and this can be viewed by the brave on Youtube.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I agree[ BB].
No offence intended to the Prof, I enjoy the clips of his playing with Kitty Hayes.
But as a non Irish woman, I feel Irishness is not a subject, I should attempt to talk about.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
hanoverians, jacobites, etc, etc,
it's all pretty multicultural in retrospect. The English royals were related to Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany (pretty closely), and the Russian Tsar Nicholas. The Queen would be very aware of her background in Ireland through her mother's side which came from the village of Summerhill (Cnoc an Línsigh), near Trim, County Meath. They lived at Dangan Castle, which I do not think exists any longer.
Princess Diana was descended from the Stuart kings, which I think made her a popular "choice" as a royal bride...and on and on it goes, I suppose.
Anyway, it isn't so much the genetics as the politics; and it seems more than greatly symbolic that she has visited Croke Park in particular.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Here's some trad punk music for ye:
God save the queen she ain't no human being
there is no future in England's dreaming...
God save the queen cos tourists are money
and our figurehead is not what she seems
Oh god save history god save your mad parade
Oh lord god have mercy all crimes are paid
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Ade Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds did a 'folk' version of that song, David, with the Mountain Road stuck in the middle. It's surprisingly good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5mUnzSd74
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Jack - My comments were very vague (if they said anything at all). To clarify (and I should have explicitly stated this early). I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with the music, and I actually wasn't 'reacting to its political associations.' I'm a fairly non-opinionated outsider in this matter (neither Irish or British by citizenship).
I was really commenting on the comedic value of the whole video (especially their big hats moving all over the place because of the dance), and the various funny comments by others. It's a lighthearted video - I don't think their is something 'wrong' with it, I was mostly just joking around.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
My apologies Jack, no wonder I thought your comments were a little strange. My fault for jumping to conclusions and thinking it was all about me, should have read more carefully.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
My two cents American and then I'll butt out: Let's hope all this is a sign of concrete, substantive change in Anglo-Irish relations. More important, let's also hope the hotheads in the US -- the ones who underwrite a good deal of the mayhem committed by the various factions at odds in N. Ireland -- got a good look at the proceedings at the Garden Of Remembrance.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Zippydw - 200 pipers? ..... argghhh! Sure isn't it 'near impossible' for just two pipers to play in tune with each other!! Mind you, maybe the queen being old, might be a bit hard of hearing and it wouldn't matter.
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
"The British National Anthem tune is very traditional - Bull died in 1628 and the tune is usually attributed to him."
It is sometimes attributed to Bull - which wouldn't make it very traditional- but that theory is questionable, and indeed, if William Cummings is to be believed in his book on the subject , published in 1902, it is highly questionable. He quotes a Dr Kitchener:
" This is an accurate copy of the ' God save
the Kinge ' mentioned in the above index, which Mr.
Edward Jones, Bard to the King, was so obliging as
to transcribe, putting it at the same time into our
modern notation. Dr. Bull's, being on six-line
staves with a multiplicity of clefs, in its original
form was illegible, except by a musical antiquary,
and too complicated to be playable without such an
arrangement. The editor briefly remarks that
Dr. John Bull's composition is a sort of ground or
voluntary for the organ, of the four notes C, G, E, F,
with twenty-six different basses ! and is no
more like the anthem now sung than a frog is like
to an ox."
Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Queen Elizabeth is making an historic visit to Ireland presently and apparently along with the usual functions, she is being entertained at various time by traditional musicians. There was a young lady playing a harp yesterday with the older metal strings as far as I know and various other trad line ups are planned. For myself, I had a run through the tune, The Princess Royale last night, one of the many such tunes that seem to be common between the cultures of these islands.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no royalist, though it really is none of our business how neighbouring states appoint their titular heads. However, it is quite extraordinary that no British head of state has visited this Republic of Ireland for near enough a century and yesterdays events had a real genuine historic feel to them. Yes, there's the obvious reasons why this has been the case but nonetheless, it's still remarkable given the very close business and family ties. For myself, I have a sister happily married in London and a brother who spent maybe 25 years working over there and that'd be very typical in most Irish families. And of course, many people who frequent this site are based in the UK somewhere. So I welcome the queen on her visit to these shores and hope she has a pleasant and peaceful journey.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Nice harping indeed, not sure there was much of a trad connection though
http://www.siobhanarmstrong.com/
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I agree with the Prof. Can we keep the discussions focussed on trad music ? As for the Queen, if you like her so much you can keep her as far as I'm concerned.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Stoneboy, I'm merely reflecting what I would think is the fairly average reaction of most Irish people. And trad music is bound up in all of this - how many trad musicians from this country migrated and emigrated to Britain and found a livliehood there, something this state failed to provide them with. It'd be churlish and mean spirited not to recognise that. No, we don't want your royal family - that's up to you, none of our business..
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
What I meant was can we discuss a musical topic, most of your OP is not about music. As for Liz, I agree she and her brood are our problem, can't blame me for trying though.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Prof., I have no idea what Siobhan Armstrong played but if it was Baroque style etc., I'd be amazed if it didn't include some Carolan tunes. And if you're saying that Carolan has no trad connection, that'd be a fairly narrow viewpoint.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I do tend to see the harping tradition as a separate (and long dead) current. And I didn't object to you discussing the state visit.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I dunno - don't they run harp classes down at Scoil Samhradh Willie Clancy? Can't be entirely dead! And we know a family near enough whose daughters have played a bit of harp. Also of curiousity, there's apparently also some connection between the British royals and the old Irish flag and emblem of the harp.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
No that was me.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Sorry previous post intended for the Prof.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
There's something about "titular" that has a vaguely, inchoately, appropriate ring about it...
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Steve Shaw
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I agree with Hussar, for anyone to suggest that the itinerant Harp player Carolan had no trad connection would be just plain silly!
As for the Queen's visit, apparently 80% of folk in Ireland are in favour of her visit, so it looks like most Irish folk are keen to move forward.
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Ptarmigan
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Hussar, I think you'd agree with me that the bardic harping Carolan was part of tradition was dead by the early 19th century. Traditional music as we have it today is a separate development altogether. Ofcourse there are people playing harps today and lovely too but there's no unbroken tradition that connects them to the old harpers.
It's a bit of an academic point, I know.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
'bardic harping tradition that Carolan was part of'..
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
You could be right, Prof. but it also seems that many of these things are buried in the mists of time and folk music didn't leave too many records behind. Who knows what musical links lay between the gentry and the 'big houses' and the music of the common people. It seems that living musical traditions are influenced both by what went before and what is around at any given time?
Anyway, it is an historic event (of far more significance and relevance than Obama's visit in a few days) and serves to remind us that we have a great deal in common with our nearest neighbour, both musically and otherwise.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
And RTE recycled a bit of the Brendan Voyage for it's coverage
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
The Brendan Voyage - one of the first LP's, I bought!!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
There's a great piping solo on it, isn't there - very evocative of the wee boat being tossed and turned on the ocean waves. But don't go there - Ilig don't like those inferences!!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
" I think you'd agree with me that the bardic harping Carolan was part of tradition was dead by the early 19th century."
Probably assisted by the British monarchy somewhere along the way.
The visit to Croke Park is interesting to say the least.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Weejie
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
'the pipes a little curragh battling a sea of orchestration' someone said once
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Well, Either you love or loath the Queen it seems over here on this Island.. But I hear in her young days she loved Traditional music
and danced it very often. Her favourite tune was this little Scot's gem - jim,,,
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2479
Ps -
The Pope or Queen would still get a wee cup of tea in my house.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
'the pipes a little curragh battling a sea of orchestration' - that's a pretty good description alright! Not really my choice of music these days - but you can see the skill & vision of the composer.
That's an interesting note, Fiddle4 and I did catch part of an RTE documentary last night which showed her having quite close connections with Northern Ireland back in the late 1940's as well obviously as Scotland. But I don't agree that you either 'love or loath' the Queen. I'd say there's a mature degree of indifference amongst many residents south of the border - they'd take an interest in them the way people follow a soap opera on TV or read the gossip columns but that's about it. There is a middle ground of indifference - probably quite different to that north of the border.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I believe that the Chieftains will be performing during the visit. If I met the Queen I would thank her and her subjects for feeding our family during the second world war when my Dad, an old IRA man, had to emigrate to England to get work.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Free Reed
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
FIDDLE 4 - Somewhat ironic that the Queen's favourite should be an old Jacobite song.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
It is quite notable the role of music in events like these where there is so much symbolism and ceremony. Very striking to hear both God Save the Queen and Amhrán na bhFiann played one after the other in places like the Garden of Remembrance yesterday. Little is said by way of speeches in the nature of these things but the music carries a lot of nuance. Earlier today a lone piper was playing the air of Oft in the Stilly Night at a ceremony remembering those Irish who fought and died in the first and second world wars. Having two grandfathers who survived the first world war, these events and the music really strike a chord.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Off to Croke Park, home of the GAA this afternoon - Artane Boys Band (brass band type of thing - I know someone who was in it when it was an escape from worse problems) and also some trad set dancers from Abbeyknockmoy in Co.Tipperary, I think.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
stoneboy2
< Somewhat ironic that the Queen's favourite should be an old Jacobite song.>
So did I, but on a TV program about he youth that's what she said when interviewed.
Well that was the tune she liked dance to at the Ceilidh up and around Balmoral castle, Scotland.. When she was a wisp of a girl..
jim,,,
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
"FIDDLE 4 - Somewhat ironic that the Queen's favourite should be an old Jacobite song." stoneboy2
Not really. She's a direct descendant of the Bonny Prince's father. Interestingly that line also claim some descent from; that famous kidnap rapper "Nial of the Nine Hostages", former semi-mythical pagan high king of Tara.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
the wounded hussar..
< they'd take an interest in them the way people follow a soap opera on TV or read the gossip columns >
Now that I would totally agree with -
jim,,,
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Well I still think that it's ironic that the song was about a soldier going to fight the hanovarians from whom she is decended.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
When are they going to realize that we, of the Western European Islands.. That if we don't stick together economically anyway, we are going to be ****** with a Capital F
: )
jim,,,
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Just got the OP. Nice sentiments, WH.
I'm no royalist whatsoever, but just for one 'she' is being put to good use.
Strikes me as daft that we brethren of these Isles shouldn't get on as such.
'The Independent' here in the U.K. has a nice editorial the other day, gist of which was, it's about time that the modern-day English/British acknowledged as such the attrocities visited on Ireland in their predecessors' name, and about time that the modern-day Irish agreed that the best thing is to move on and not harbour grudges. Hopefully, this visit is a step in that process.
My good wishes to all across the Irish Sea.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by ian stock
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Just seen a video clip, Did not think the Queen would try the Guinness. But the old Duke was surely tempted, pity he did'nt for he would have realised its the only thing worth putting in a Pint Glass ; )
jim,,,
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
"Well I still think that it's ironic that the song was about a soldier going to fight the hanovarians from whom she is decended." stoneboy2
She's related to both sides.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Ah the joys of inbreeding !
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Ian, I think most people here in Ireland would agree with you. Mind you, there is an alternative view and some violence broke out yesterday on Dublin streets following a peaceful protest. Amazingly, it was reported that some of the lads throwing bottles and fireworks at the Gardai were wearing Manchester United shirts - talk about double standards and warped thinking!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Apologies - I was trying to discipline myself to follow my own advice and stick to the subject of the music, but could not resist that last snipe. I will now bow out of this thread in disgrace.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by stoneboy2
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I was waiting for this discussion!
I think I would have prefered the music involved in HRH's visit be performed on the pipes... Symbolic if nothing else.
But it seems that she is going out of her way to, I think the word used on BBC was, acknowledge some of the past.
Being American, I don't have the cultural background to correctly interpret that if it is an incorrect statement. But If nothing else, it was about time for some outreach from Crown.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by zippydw
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Well, it cuts both ways, Zippy. There wasn't much point in offering to come before now if the invitation was not likely to be extended. Re instruments, I think the emphasis is on a variety of different aspects of Irish history & culture. One or two pipers would be more than enough, IMVHO!! - apologies to TSS and the Prof but too much of a good thing becomes wearisome!!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I am not at all in favour of getting the pipes out to project some sort of Irishness, it doesn't do the instrument much justice. It's a bit like they did putting Liam O Flynn at some streetcorner for the Dalai Lama's visit.
So don't worry about me. What I have seen of it, it was fine as it was.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
The Irish are the best people qualified to talk about Irishness.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Joseph Tailyour
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
A momentous day indeed.
And hopefully the country moves forward.
Last month a group of us were visiting the Ulster Tower at the Somme bedecked in GAA jerseys as we were representing the gAA on the visit to the World War 1 sites, and laying a wreath at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
Things are moving on.
To keep it musical I sang (if it can be called that) at Willie McBride's grave and this can be viewed by the brave on Youtube.
Things are changing, for the better.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by bodhran bliss
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I agree[ BB].
No offence intended to the Prof, I enjoy the clips of his playing with Kitty Hayes.
But as a non Irish woman, I feel Irishness is not a subject, I should attempt to talk about.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Joseph Tailyour
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
hanoverians, jacobites, etc, etc,
it's all pretty multicultural in retrospect. The English royals were related to Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany (pretty closely), and the Russian Tsar Nicholas. The Queen would be very aware of her background in Ireland through her mother's side which came from the village of Summerhill (Cnoc an Línsigh), near Trim, County Meath. They lived at Dangan Castle, which I do not think exists any longer.
Princess Diana was descended from the Stuart kings, which I think made her a popular "choice" as a royal bride...and on and on it goes, I suppose.
Anyway, it isn't so much the genetics as the politics; and it seems more than greatly symbolic that she has visited Croke Park in particular.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Here's some trad punk music for ye:
God save the queen she ain't no human being
there is no future in England's dreaming...
God save the queen cos tourists are money
and our figurehead is not what she seems
Oh god save history god save your mad parade
Oh lord god have mercy all crimes are paid
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by David Levine
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Ade Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds did a 'folk' version of that song, David, with the Mountain Road stuck in the middle. It's surprisingly good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5mUnzSd74
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Tom.M
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Politics aside, let's not forget that this particular head of state lends her name to what is possibly the worst tune in the world ...
.. God save us all from that particular tune ....
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
No comment on the Queen, but just saw this on facebook and thought you would enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp2dBOzSrPU&sns=fb
It's wrong on so many levels. The comments are priceless. "the guards look fake"
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the tune. (Beethoven and Debussy both liked it, and they both knew a thing or two).
You're reacting to its political associations (which it didn't always have - it predates its use as the king's anthem by a lifetime).
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Jack Campin
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Jack - My comments were very vague (if they said anything at all). To clarify (and I should have explicitly stated this early). I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with the music, and I actually wasn't 'reacting to its political associations.' I'm a fairly non-opinionated outsider in this matter (neither Irish or British by citizenship).
I was really commenting on the comedic value of the whole video (especially their big hats moving all over the place because of the dance), and the various funny comments by others. It's a lighthearted video - I don't think their is something 'wrong' with it, I was mostly just joking around.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
No comment on the Queen, but just saw this on facebook and thought you would enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp2dBOzSrPU&sns=fb
Excellent, Jessie
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
jcawley - I was responding to Mix O'Lydian's post, the one before yours. I haven't seen the video.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Jack Campin
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
My apologies Jack, no wonder I thought your comments were a little strange. My fault for jumping to conclusions and thinking it was all about me, should have read more carefully.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Oh dear - someone else took the flak for something that I said ...
@Jack - "I did prefix my comment: "Politics aside" - I was simply referring to the tune itself ....
... and if Beethoven and Debussy both liked it, that's probably because neither of them had heard Alexander's Hornpipe ...
(See Paddy Power YouTube video posted by jcawley)
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
The Queen spoke Irish
at the Dublin Castle dinner! Wow.
That'd be a first.
conas a cool é sin
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Yesterday's headline in our local pper: "Queek Elizabeth II makes historic trip to Ireland"
yes, Queek
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Wyogal
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
sheesh, typo in a rant about typos... paper
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Wyogal
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
I hope it was a typo!
Obviously not enough queens in your local area.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
WH
Thinking about it, not 2 piper. How about 200?
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by zippydw
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Queek? Available from Wizard Workshop, so it seems ...
http://www.wizardworkshop.co.uk/shop/skaven-queek-headtaker.
- and how can it be a historic trip? In 10 or 100 years time it might be - but currently, it's just a trip ....
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
it's historic alright. you can remember it now...or in ten or one hundred years. but it iis historic. I hope everyone appreciated the moment.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
....and did not the Irish Army
look great this day. That's men!
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
My two cents American and then I'll butt out: Let's hope all this is a sign of concrete, substantive change in Anglo-Irish relations. More important, let's also hope the hotheads in the US -- the ones who underwrite a good deal of the mayhem committed by the various factions at odds in N. Ireland -- got a good look at the proceedings at the Garden Of Remembrance.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Prince Charles is a queek -- a cross between a queen and a greek.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by gam
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
it's not about
Prince Charles. It is about QE2.
If she did not ask for this to happen, it would not have.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
Zippydw - 200 pipers? ..... argghhh! Sure isn't it 'near impossible' for just two pipers to play in tune with each other!! Mind you, maybe the queen being old, might be a bit hard of hearing and it wouldn't matter.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
that queen
would be sharper than ye think. Never mind old. Her mother lived to 101 or more...will you do that? Quick...think about that.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
The British National Anthem tune is very traditional - Bull died in 1628 and the tune is usually attributed to him.
# Posted on May 20th 2011 by geoffwright
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
"The British National Anthem tune is very traditional - Bull died in 1628 and the tune is usually attributed to him."
It is sometimes attributed to Bull - which wouldn't make it very traditional- but that theory is questionable, and indeed, if William Cummings is to be believed in his book on the subject , published in 1902, it is highly questionable. He quotes a Dr Kitchener:
" This is an accurate copy of the ' God save
the Kinge ' mentioned in the above index, which Mr.
Edward Jones, Bard to the King, was so obliging as
to transcribe, putting it at the same time into our
modern notation. Dr. Bull's, being on six-line
staves with a multiplicity of clefs, in its original
form was illegible, except by a musical antiquary,
and too complicated to be playable without such an
arrangement. The editor briefly remarks that
Dr. John Bull's composition is a sort of ground or
voluntary for the organ, of the four notes C, G, E, F,
with twenty-six different basses ! and is no
more like the anthem now sung than a frog is like
to an ox."
http://www.archive.org/stream/godsavekingorigi00cummiala/godsavekingorigi00cummiala_djvu.txt
# Posted on May 20th 2011 by Weejie
Re: Trad music played for the Queen's visit to Ireland
In fact, Cummings seems to be of the notion that Bull's theme evolved into the present tune, but his case is weak.
http://www.archive.org/download/godsavekingorigi00cummiala/godsavekingorigi00cummiala.pdf
# Posted on May 20th 2011 by Weejie