ROSS'S PIPE MUSIC.
Mr William Boss, heriMajesty's piper, has rendered an essential service to all lovers of the Highland pipe, and therefore to every Scotsman, by the publication of his collection of pipe music. Ifc is a handsome volume, dedicated by special permission to her Majesty, and it forms the most complete work of the kind ever issued. Mr Boss has been often solicited to publish his manuscript collection of pipe music, which has been amassed and augmented during a period of thirty years, the materials being derived from old Highland pipers and other local sources. From the store thus gathered, comprising about 1000 airs, ,a selection of 243 has been compiled — 20 pibrochs never before published, and 223 marches, Strathspeys, and reels. We are not aware of the existence of any similar collection, and, therefore, strongly recommend it, more particularly to military pipers, as being j the best adapted for their use in method | and style. There is included in the work a complete code of instructions for the use of learners; so practically stated and plainly illustrated that the pupil may teach himself. It should be stated that, simply by omitting the grace notes, all the airs may be played upon the pianoforte or violin. The Bev.'-Dr Norman Macleod, in an introductory essay, i writes— "The music of the Highlands is the Sibroeh of the great war-pipe, with its uttering pennons, fingered by a genuine Celt in fufi Highland dress, as he slowly I paces aboroniai hall, or amidst the wild scenery of hia native mountains. The bagpipe is the 4nstrament best adapted for summoning the clans from the far-off glens to rally round the standard of their chiefs ; or for leading a Highland regiment to the attack amidst the roar of battle. The pibroch is also constructed to express a welcome to the chief on his return to his dan; and to wail out a lament for him as he is borne by his people to the old -burial-place in the- glen, or in the sainted Isle of Graves. To those who understand its carefully composed music there is a pathos and depth of feeling suggested by it which a Highlander alone can fully sympathise with ; associated by him, as it always is, with the most touching memories of his home and country, recalling the faces and forms of the departed; spreading forth before his inward eye panoramas of mountain, loch, and glen, and reviving impressions of his early and happiest years. And thus, if it excites the stranger to laughter, it excites the Highlander to tears, as no other music can do, in spite of the most refined culture of his after life. It is thus, too, that what appears to be only a tedious and unmeaning monotony in the music of the genuine pibroch, is not so to one under the magic influence of Highland associations." The characteristic poetry of the Highlands is that of Ossian, its music is the pibroch, and these two voices embody the spirit and sing the praises of " Tir 'nam Beann, 'nan GUeann, 's 'nan G-ai'sgeach." A distinguished piper in a letter to Mr Boss bears this testimony : — • " I have carefully gone through your book of pipe music, and I consider it one of the most complete and useful publications of pipe music I have ever seen. No one pretending to have a love for pipe music ought to be without a copy of it ; and to any one who intends learning the pipes, it is a most invaluable assistant, the directions given being so clear and easily understood. Being a piper myself, you know the interest I take in everything connected with the pipes."
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18700222.2.20
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Southland Times, Issue 1214, 22 February 1870, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
615ROSS'S PIPE MUSIC. Southland Times, Issue 1214, 22 February 1870, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.