Cut, Strike, Throw, Grip.

MACLEOD, DUNCAN

Abstract

This work draw inspiration from the ancient Highland Bagpipe and Clarsach music known as Pibroch or Ceol Mor. Comprised of a theme and variations Pibroch utilises ornamentation as a means to mark and decorate each variation. Moreover as an oral tradition a number of variants exist of each ornament, which divides pipers and scholars alike.

Pibroch emerged in the 17th century as ceremonial Highland court music – the earliest patron being the MacLeod’s of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. The collapse of the Clan system a century later saw Pibroch’s steady decline to an extent that it is now rarely heard outside niche piping competitions. This has led to Pibroch being marginalised and misunderstood, both within the piping community and by the wider public. This work looks to subvert these perceptions by exploring its elaborate ornamentation (the names of which give this work its title) and tuning system, subtleties that often go unnoticed and unappreciated, bringing these to the fore so to demonstrate Pibroch’s expressive qualities.

Citation

MACLEOD, D. (2018). Cut, Strike, Throw, Grip. [Score]. Edinburgh

• Other Type: Composition
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2023
• Pages: 14
• Keywords: score
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/18520590