Category: Piobaireachd

James Campbell, Kilberry: Letters – Part 1

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Today, in an important series exclusive to pipingpress.com, we have the first excerpt from articles by piobaireachd scholar and senior adjudicator, Norman Matheson, Aberdeen. They are based on correspondence he had with ceol mor authority James Campbell, Kilberry, between 1997 and 2003. They concern piobaireachd playing in general, and in particular the production of the ‘Masters of Piobaireachd’ CD recordings of the playing of RU Brown and RB Nicol, Balmoral, and contain…

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James Campbell, Piobaireachd Expert and Gentleman

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The final excerpt of Jonathan Gillespie’s lecture on his tutor James Campbell of Kilberry is published today. In it Jonathan discusses some of James’s favourite tunes and names the performers. He also records James’s uneasiness with placing too much reliance on old manuscripts and allowing them to dictate the way tunes should be played in the modern era. He highlights the importance of James’s writings, in particular his ‘Elusive Appoggiatura’…

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James Campbell of Kilberry

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Today we begin a series which will be a must read for all enthusiasts and students of ceol mor.  It concerns James Campbell of Kilberry (1916 – 2003), one of the important figures in 20th century piping. The series begins with the first instalment of a lecture given by his former pupil, Jonathan Gillespie, earlier this year. Subsequent excerpts will further explore James’s life and teaching, and evaluate his considerable…

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London: B Grade Piobaireachd Review

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[easyrotator]erc_75_1413484305[/easyrotator] Scottish Piping Society of London Competition, Nov 1, 2014, ‘B’ Piobaireachd Review By Andrew Wright Competition reports and feedback, as a rule, tend always to centre on the very top level, with lower grade events mostly by-passed other than for the recording of the results. It is, however, at the lower level that the apprenticeship for the top is served, where performing skills are learned and honed toward the…

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Piobaireachd Controversy

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Paul Ross, an Australian piper based in Newcastle, New South Wales, has written a lengthy monograph on the controversial subject of piobaireachd interpretation. He endorses Allan MacDonald’s approach, and lauds the recent publication of Donald MacDonald’s books and the MacGregor – MacArthur book by Dr Roderick Cannon.  This article will be of interest to all ceol mor enthusiasts. Read more here.