Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)

Subject: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland
From: PeteBoom
Date: 14 Dec 05 - 02:45 PM

One if the finest contemporary pipers is gone today. http://www.piperanddrummer.com/news/default.asp?articleID=5556

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: GUEST,Scotus (minus cookie)
Date: 15 Dec 05 - 11:40 AM

We phoned Gordon's father (well respected trad singer Jock Duncan) yesterday and said how sad we were to hear the news. Here is a tribute from Ian Green of Greentrax Records.

15th December, 2005.

Gordon Duncan - Piper and Composer Extraordinaire!
I was devastated to learn today that Gordon Duncan had died on the 14th December at his home in Edradour, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Gordon was 41 years of age.

Gordon was of course one of the most talented and innovative pipers in Scotland in present times. He was also a remarkable composer and did me the great honour of composing a tune titled - "Ian Green of Greentrax". I am very, very proud of that tune.

Gordon recorded three wonderful albums for Greentrax, the first in 1994, and in the intervening years Gordon and myself became good friends. He referred to me in his pawkie way as "Greenie" and 'The Boss".

Hamish Moore wrote of Gordon in a sleeve note on the "Just For Seumas" album: "This man is precious and should be one of Scotland's living national treasures".

I endorse that statement and would add that Gordon was a very rare talent indeed - and is a sad loss to the Scottish traditional music scene. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Gordon's funeral is at 12.45p.m. on Wednesday, 21st December, at the Church of Scotland, Pitlochry, Perthshire.

Jack Beck

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: Scotus
Date: 16 Dec 05 - 10:44 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 16 Dec 05 - 01:41 PM

This is sad news indeed.

I got to know Gordon well when I moved back from the States to work in the Pinetrees Hotel in Pitlochry. He would come by the hotel every Friday in the course of his work, and we would always have a bit of craic about the music. Our little cocker spaniel absolutely adored him, and would start whining to go out and see him as soon as she heard the sound of his vehicle !

His genius on the pipes doesn't need any endorsement from me, but he was truly an amazing player (and composer). I was lucky enough to have a couple of sessions with him in his house when I attempted to accompany him on guitar, but would invariably end up shaking my head and just listening as he took off into the stratosphere ...

His passing will have devastated the community of Pitlochry, and our thoughts go out to his dad Jock, and his elder brother Iain (also a magnificent piper).

RIP Gordon, you will never be forgotten.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: GUEST,Salvi
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 05:07 PM

I'm from spain but I had the opportunity to meet him in august 2K at his house near Edradour distillery in Pitlochry because he was very interested on my set of beautiful Galician bagpipes. We was playing pipes, talking, playing with your beautiful dog... and I returned home near to be crying, with a strong feeling in my heart and soul, the outstanding sensation to be known a fallen angel in earth making music. I gave him my set of galician bagpipes and he gave me a set of ancient Glen bagpipes with the chanter he told he was playing the Just for Seumas in the recording studio when he made his first CD.
I feel now devastated, without consolation, very far from scotland... I know this may sound for you quite rare but I feel like I was lost somebody of my proper family and I don't know why.
Anyway the world of piping has lost the best piper ever. He is an unique jewell of scottish music and one of better musicians the earth have seen born.
I'd like to be in his funeral but I can't because the distance, anyway I'll be there in soul to say goodbye my dearest piper.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: Effsee
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 10:24 PM

Salvi, don't be so sad, you have had unique experience with a master.
Gordon would not want you to be . Celebrate the gift he has given us.His music lives on as the best legacy he could have left us.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: GUEST,Ryan
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 01:45 PM

I was first introduced to Gordon's music while studying at the piping centre in Glasgow, I remember learning his tune "the high drive", it is still one of my favorites. He has left a wonderful legacy to pipers the world over. I am a better piper for having known of him. The moment I heard the news I grabbed my pipes and played his tunes on them in his honor. I pray for his family and hope that they know that Gordon will live on forever as, who I consider, the finest piper in history. Farewell Gordon, and thanks for the divine music...

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec
From: kitchen piper
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 07:31 AM

Such devastating news
Totally the best piping composer
Sigh
:-(

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: GUEST,Gordons friend
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 07:31 PM

I would like to pass on a message from Gordon to the people concerned ,they will know who they are!

B*** M* C****** !

To the other people concerned they will know who they are!

He would like to have one of his tunes, you will know which one!

engraved at the side of the road in stone just down from the cottage at edradour, just where the road bends.

He told me this some time ago, I guess it was for this day . If this message reaches where it is meant to then it is meant to .I am only passing on a message that came from Gordon!


God Bless!

Subject: RE: Obit: Gordon Duncan, Pitlochry, Scotland (Dec 05)
From: GUEST,Guest and friend
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:01 PM

I wonder why your message is for so few....only three indicated names who would know what your message would mean...!!! Did you mean where the bridge is over the burn at Edradour...it would make a god canvis for the tune....but I wonder...

Subject: Obit: Gordon Duncan,
From: GUEST,Mercedes Trujillo . track 11, Thunderstruck
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 07:08 AM

Hi there,

My name is Mercedes Trujillo .
I met Gordon In ´September. 1999 in a Bagpipe Festival in Orejo, Cantabria, Spain.
Somebody asked me to translate as nobody could understand him. After playing on stage he was standing near the stage holding his pipes (hugging his pipes!). without speaking.
After one hour translating for everybody they told him I am was a piper as well. He was surprised and at that moment he asked me to play tunes on my pipes ( Galician Pipes) . He wanted to hear new tunes or learn them . "Give us a tune , please" ,on and on. After playing he gave me a tremendous hug. He cried. He loved the music I was playing. (he would include that tune in Thunderstruck as Poio+ Trandeiras though I have to say what it is shown there as Nº 1 is Foliada de Paradela Nº 2 is muiñeira de Poio ,:) )
So friendly he was. Around us people gathering , they were asking him to let them play his bagpipes . No problem, he would let anybody try them. He wanted to hear them playing, so anxious was he to hear new tunes. Hungry for music.
He spent two days in the area. We became good friends. He was so special : I have to remark I have never met a person like that, generous, humble , a great musician . He touched my heart. After that moment I have always thought I really had a friend in Scotland, a great Piper and composer , a friend for life. I promised to see him again one of this years! .
He kept telling me "Come to Glasgow" And I promised to go one day to visit him and his Bag Pipe Band there.
four years later somebody asked me : Hey , How come your name is on one of Gordon Duncan´s CDs ? What?
I was puzzled.
...Amazing!.
He not only remembered me , He had learnt the tunes I sent him on a CD (played by me and a friend of mine Julia Benito "Vagalume ,a Duetto of Pipers") and had included them in his CD Thunderstruck. Besides, he had composed something for me. Great Honour.
I called him inmediatelly to thank him. I promised again a visit...

Now,I have been in a "cave" involved in my own problems, I have not surfed the web in the last months. By chance, two days ago I got into the web to check if my prolific friend in Scotland , Gordon , had released anything new.
Then I read Gordon Passed away , seven months ago!!
Oh no, please, He´s gone. God help me, why!?
Never got to give him my farewell. I am ashamed to say this , I feel guilty, no excuses.
No opportunities to talk to his relatives, or friends.
This is a disgrace.
where is he resting now? Can anyone tell me? could I contact any of his friends or relatives?.
Please.
mailto:[e-mail]
Gordon wherever you are now you must know I will never forget you. Everybody has a good feeling about you in Spain . All of us will remember you for ever. Hope I´ll see you again.
You have left us a rich legacy with your music.
This is a Great Loss.


Mercedes Trujillo (Merche)