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80th Anniversary Concert Report (Including the raffle winner)
The Scottish Piping Society of London continued its year of celebratory events marking our eightieth birthday with a concert/recital held at the London Welsh Centre, Grays Inn Road, London on 30th June 2012 organised by SPSL Vice President Jackie Roberts. After introductions had been made by society president, Hugh Jamieson, who gave a brief history of the society's achievements and the current committee’s hopes and aspirations for the next eighty years, the evening commenced with a selection from one of the SPSLs most successful competitors of current times, Steve Watterston. As soon as Steve struck up his bagpipe and launched into 'The 71st Highlanders', it was obvious that a high standard was being set for the evening.Steve was followed onto the stage by Dave Danford, Mick Molloy and Ben Gunnery, three professional classical musicians who describe themselves as 'loving playing traditional music as a relaxation'. A twenty five minute set on fiddles and mandolin included some old piper’s favourites and also left a number of us thinking 'I wonder if that tune could be transposed for the bagpipe?' The audience waited expectantly for the Fear an Tighe, Roddy Livingstone, to introduce the next performer who was the main artist for the evening, Fred Morrison. Fred has amazed and entertained for over thirty years with his varied style from traditional highland music on the Great Highland Bagpipe to, as he describes his more innovative performances, 'South Uist-Irish-Bluegrass fusion' on other instruments. Fred appeared on the stage playing an 1898 Henderson bagpipe with a 1960s Hardie chanter which had undergone some more recent 'adjustments'. Cane drone reeds and sheepskin bag added to the traditional set up to produce a lovely tone. Fred dedicated the first half of his performance to 'classical highland piping' which included several beautiful gaelic airs, 6/8 marches such as Ballochyle and Major John MacLennan and competition favourites including Kilbowie Cottage, The 74th's Farewell to Edinburgh, Delvinside, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran and Alick C MacGregor. This demonstrated to all present why Fred had been such a successful competitor in the 1980s and 90's before diversifying into the wider music scene. Fred stressed that traditional highland piping has always been his first love and did not deny rumours that 2012 may see his welcome return to the solo competition circuit. If this is so, many of those currently enjoying success will need to look to their laurels. The first half concluded with a fine rendition of The Lament for May MacLeod. Fred had asked the SPSLs Piping Coordinator if a piobaireachd was appropriate to the evenings content and was promptly informed that for him to come to London and not play at least one would cause disappointment if not outright offence! After a brief intermission, the evening recommenced with a display of Highland Dancing by Amanda Esslemont and Lorna Hicks, both of whom have close family associations with piping in South East England. Until late 1960s the SPSL's annual competition also included highland dancing events in the programme. These were discontinued when the number of piping competitors became so large that the dancing events could no longer be accommodated. It is interesting to note that the number of pipers competing at the London competition then was less than half what it is today. Both piping and highland dancing were so popular in London in the years following WW2, that a number of society members of the day, notably Peter Quinn, Angus MacAulay, J B Robertson and George MacRae (all ex-army pipe majors) were able to make a living from teaching these activities in the London area. The girls danced beautifully to the piping of Steve Watterston, who I am informed was in his younger days was himself a champion highland dancer - this often shows through in his piping with a real 'lift' in strathspeys, reels and jigs. Before Fred Morrison returned to the stage, the raffle was drawn by Mrs. Sheila Jupp. Sheila contacted the SPSL when she heard about the concert as her father and uncle and brother and all been pipers with an involvement with the society. Further investigations revealed that her father John MacAulay, her uncle P/M Angus MacAulay, and her brother Iain were all founder members of the Society back in 1932 - her brother was aged 1 year when he was proposed for membership! Iain is now resident in Spain and unfortunately was unable to join us for the evening but sent his best wishes. Other absent friends who had asked for their best wishes to be conveyed included former presidents Allan Beaton, Roger Huth and Hugh MacMillan; John Shone, Jimmy Robertson and longtime sponsors of piping activity in London Les and Martin Cowell of David Naill & Co, pipe-makers. Many generous raffle prizes were on offer but the principal prize, a fine set of David Naill pipes, was eventually won by Society member Chris English. Fred Morrison took to the stage once again, this time with small pipes, whistle and Uillean pipes. His brilliant finger technique, the innovative style and the pure musicianship shone out like a beacon. Many in the audience were eagerly anticipating some of Fred's trademark tunes such as Seonadh's Tune and his arrangement of The Train Journey North and they were not disappointed as these and many more flew from his fingers. As well as his musical performance, the introductions, stories behind the tunes and explanations of the varying techniques applied to the different instruments held the audience mesmerised for a further hour. Eventually Fred looked over at Jackie pleadingly and asked "Is there time for one more set?" As soon as Jackie nodded her assent, the GHB was once more on Fred's shoulder and a set of tunes more innovative than could ever have been imagined back in 1932 flowed forth. The evening demonstrated the way in which piping has developed in the past eighty years and at the hands of Fred Morrison has suffered no loss of musical expression. In all, a great evening with great entertainment, amid great company. |
