Fiddler Magazine 
Tune History Articles

 

by Andrew Kuntz

 

The articles below appeared in issues of Fiddler Magazine, a quarterly periodical edited and published by Mary Larsen. “Fiddle Tune History” is one of the Departments of the magazine; each issue including an article on traditional fiddle tunes from a variety of genres, along with fascinating background and contextual material that for many helps to make playing the tune ‘come alive’.

 

I have seldom met a fiddler who did not want to know as much as he or she could about a tune—to play the fiddle is to keep faith with tradition and history.

 

It’s been my distinct pleasure to have been allowed to indulge myself in this forum for these several years.

I thank Ms. Larsen for not only giving me the opportunity to exercise my interest and allowing me free reign to pursue

my curiosities, but also for producing a find periodical that each issue contains much of importance and value about fiddling.

 

 

Please be reminded that the articles are written specifically for a periodical

that has an audience with a general interest in fiddling.  I have written the

pieces to entertain and inform, and not for academic purpose or scholarship;

save my own edification.

 

 

The articles are listed in order of their appearance in the magazine:

 

Fiddler Issue:                    Article Title:                                            Tunes Included:

Summer 2001, vol. 8,

   No. 2

(Untitled)

The High Level Hornpipe, Marmaduke’s Hornpipe.

Fall 2001, vol. 8, No. 3

Last Request: Music and Legends of

Condemned Fiddlers

MacPherson’s Lament, Callahan, Coleman’s

March.

Winter 2001/2002, vol.

   8, No. 4.

Fiddler Reprieved

Flannery’s Dream, Camp Chase.

Spring 2002, vol. 9,

   No. 1.

(Untitled)

The Graf Spee, Rothiemurchus Rant.

Summer 2002, vol. 9,

   No. 2.

The Contradiction

Miss Gunning, Miss Gunning’s Reel, The

Contradiction.

Fall 2002, vol. 9, No. 3.

Oh, Dear Mother, My Toes are Sore!

Kemps Jegg, Jackie Layton, Jack Lattin (with

variations).

Winter 2002/2003, vol.

   9, No. 4.

Sir Roger de Coverly

Sir Roger de Coverly.

Spring 2003, vol. 10,

   No. 1

The Black Joke

Black Joak, Black Jock (Aird), Black Jock (Gow),

Summer 2003, vol. 10,

   No. 2.

The Great Eastern

La Grondeuse, Silver Spire, Bennet’s Reel,

The Great Eastern Reel.

Fall 2003, vol. 10, No. 3

Speed the Plow

Speed the Plow.

Winter 2003/2004, vol.

   10, No. 4

Oh, Ned!

Ned Kendall’s Hornpipe, Ned Kendall’s

Favorite, Ned Kendall’s, Salem Hornpipe.

Spring 2004, vol. 11,

   No. 1.

At the Circus

Leslie’s Hornpipe, Astley’s Ride, Rickett’s

Hornpipe, Durang’s Hornpipe.

Summer 2004, vol. 11,

   No. 2.

The Dancers

Nancy Dawson’s Hornpipe, Aldridge’s Hornpipe,

Richer’s Hornpipe, Dick Sands’ Hornpipe,

Big John McNeil, Dinkie’s, Glenn Towle.

Fall 2004, vol. 11, No. 3.

And, Off We Go…

Off to California, Fireman’s Reel, Silver Cluster,

Far from Home, Possum Up a Gum Stump.

Winter 2004/2005, vol.

   11, No. 4.

Air Apparent

Hector the Hero, Queen of the Earth and Child of

the Skies, Amhrán na Leabhar (Song of the Books).

Spring 2005, vol. 12,

   No. 1.

The Misses Johnston

Miss Johnston of Hilton, Miss Lucy Johnston’s

Compliments to Niel Gow, The Bridegroom Grat.

Summer 2005, vol. 12,

   No. 2.

The King of the Patrons

Honorable Mr. Ramsay Maule’s Reel, Honorable

Mrs. Maule’s Reel, Miss Maule’s Strathspey. 

Fall 2005, vol. 12, No. 3.

Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 1)

President Garfield’s, President Grant’s Hornpipe,

General Longstreet’s, Wade Hampton’s Hornpipe.

Winter 2005/2006, vol.

   12, No. 4.

Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 2)

Vendome Hornpipe, The American Rifle Team.

Spring 2006, vol. 13,

   No. 1

Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 3)

Fagan and Fenton’s, Fred Wilson’s

Summer 2006, Vol. 13,

  No. 2

Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 4)

Minnie Foster’s Clog, Lotta’s Favorite

Spring 2007, Vol. 14,

  No. 1

 

A Well-Traveled Melody

Glenbeigh Hornpipe, Military Schottische, Bielbie’s

Hornpipe, The Original Schottische Polka [1], The

Original Schottische Polka [2].

Summer 2007, Vol. 14,

   No. 2

Fiddle Tunes at the Races

Hexham Races, Hamilton Races, Knutsford Races,

Newmarket Races

Fall 2007, Vol. 14,

   No. 3

Playing the Ponies

Curragh Races, New Market, Bee’s Wing,

Wagoner, Grey Eagle

Winter 2007/08, Vol. 14,

   No. 4

Surviving Playford

The Frost is all over, Hey to the Camp, Untitled

Air, The Mask

Spring 2008, Vol. 15,

   No. 1

The Black Sloven

Colonel Pickering’s March to Lexington, The

Black Seven, The Black Sloven

 Summer 2008, Vol. 15,

   No. 2  & Fall 2008,

   Vol. 15, No. 3

 A Night at the Opera

Dead March in Saul, Mr. Cosgill’s Delight, March

from Solomon, Doctor Haydn, Blowzabella,

Michael Turner’s Waltz, Annan Polka