Irish Musicologists

Subject: Irish Musicologists/Collectors
From: Torctgyd
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 10:57 AM

An old friend of mine told me that one reason Irish traditional tunes were so popular was that at the turn of the last centuary there was a concerted effort by Irish Musicologists and Collectors to prove that all traditional tunes from the British Isles were of Irish origin. Did this really happen or is he pulling my leg?

Alternatively, why are so many tradional tunes from the British Isles seem to be Irish in origin? Were they just much more prolific, better at composition or better at preserving their heritage?

Cheers

Subject: RE: Irish Musicologists
From: IanC
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 11:14 AM

I don't know if he was really influential, and I'd think it unlikely that this is the reason for the popularity of Irish traditional tunes (they were, after all, in vogue at the time of Queen Elizabeth I).

It is true, though, that a man named W. H. Grattan Flood wrote "A History of Irish Music" in 1904. This book seems to claim that every tune ever invented was Irish. I have a copy, and it's hilarious.

:-)

Subject: RE: Irish Musicologists
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 07:30 PM

I'm afraid Grattan Flood is widely regarded in Ireland as something of a disaster for the history of traditional music. As for where the tunes came from in the first place, some historians would argue that moany, if not most, of the jigs and reels now associated with Ireland migrated there from Scotland.

And quite a number are thought to be of fairly recent origin - "composed" within the last 200 years or so. Even tunes written in living memory are quickly assimilated into the tradition, and assumed to be anon. Some of the leading instrumentalists seem to think it is almost obligatory to contribute an original tune to the repertoire, and many of these are soon forgotten. Some however - eg Junior Crehan - have written tunes that will live on for generations to come. Such tunes will be assumed to be traditional, and some latter-day Grattan Flood will pontificate on whether they came originally from Scotland or Ireland, or Brittany.....

Subject: RE: Irish Musicologists
From: GUEST,CeeJay
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 07:49 AM

Mr Flood's claims are an obvious exaggeration. Any musicologist worth his/her salt knows that not all the tunes come from Ireland, only the good ones. That's why they are so popular!

Subject: RE: Irish Musicologists
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 09:24 AM

I bought a copy of Grattan Flood's History of Irish Music some time ago, chiefly so that I would know where the bulk of the rubbish still bandied about on the subject of tune derivations came from. His work, still quoted uncritically (and usually without attribution) by the credulous is a lasting embarrassment to serious students of Irish music.

He was also responsible for spreading the rumour that the Irish "Union Pipes" were really called "Uilleann Pipes", which is now so widely believed (though there is no historical evidence to support the claim) that people get into fights over it.

Subject: RE: Irish Musicologists
From: IanC
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 11:11 AM

But Malcolm, you would have to agree that the book's worth whatever you paid for it. Once you get into the main thesis of it, it's absolutely hilarious. Well worth a read.

;-)