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Buy Allan MacDonald: Dastirum (book with CD) by Allan MacDonald
"Pibroch is like fine wine – it adds a touch of class to any occasion, attracts myth and obsession, holds secret aficionados, and a small sip leaves a wonderful feeling. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, pibroch roused men’s courage in battle, gathered clans when scattered, immortalized heroes, chieftains and great events, and uplifted people’s spirits when feasting, marching, rowing, or harvesting. Considered the highest form of piping (known in Gaelic as cèol mo?r, the big music) pibroch carries a bouquet of superiority, dignity, mystery, and romance. It brings to life the late-medieval history of Ireland and Scotland and endows Highland culture with a majestic nobility. Yet, the bagpipe is linked in most people’s minds, not with great music, but with the cliche?s of Scotland: kilts, massed bands, buskers, and “Scotland the Brave”. The ceremonial music of the Gaelic chieftains, 1550 – 1750, has kept a low profile...." extractfrom the introduction to Dastirum by Barnaby Brown.
Dastirum (the word is an encouragement - three cheers! be proud! bravo!) is a 69 page book with audio CD, featuring piping master Allan MacDonald and showcasing his stylistic approach to Piobaireachd. Allan MacDonald sings and plays 17th & 18th century Highland bagpipe music. The most exciting player of his generation, Allan is stimulating the renaissance of one of Europe's most soulful and majestic musical traditions.
"a major step forward in the study of the Great Music" David Murray
"his fine bagpipe, and the clarity of his embellishments are uplifting to hear" Donald MacPherson
"a consummate musician, playing with passion and mastery of his art. Allan has made more impact than anyone else in his generation" Bill Livingstone.
Media Reviews
A consummate player, one of three formidable piping brothers from the Gaelic-speaking community of Glenuig in Moidart, MacDonald has paid his dues on the competition platform, winning the coveted Clasp at the Northern Meeting two years running.
"A consummate player, one of three formidable piping brothers from the Gaelic-speaking community of Glenuig in Moidart, MacDonald has paid his dues on the competition platform, winning the coveted Clasp at the Northern Meeting two years running. But over the years he has questioned the orthodoxy of today's standardised pibroch settings as played for the judges, and has tapped deeply into his culture to investigate pibroch's links with Gaelic song, and with the ancient bardic harping traditions of Scotland and Wales. This, combined with an innate musicality, results in some superb moments on this album" review by Jim Gilchrist in The Scotsman
..the clarity of his embellishments are uplifting to hear...
"Allan's skill bringing out the beauty of these older texts, his fine bagpipe, and the clarity of his embellishments are uplifting to hear. His singing of the songs and canntaireachd is a lovely added feature." Donald MacPherson (9 times Inverness Clasp-winner)
I was pinned to the seat. I heard things that I had never imagined before.
"I was pinned to the seat. I heard things that I had never imagined before. Lily, who has been listening to this music for 35 years, but in our modern performance style only, was equally enchanted. It was an exquisite and romantic moment. But from a more mundane point of view, it was a musical epiphany." Bill Livingstone (double Inverness Clasp-winner)
"great emotion, flair and style that is always inspiring, challenging and often breathtaking."
"great emotion, flair and style that is always inspiring, challenging and often breathtaking." Roddy MacLeod (Director of the National Piping Centre)
Allan has a gift for putting the poetry into pibroch.
"Allan has a gift for putting the poetry into pibroch. He also stands out among pipers for having the courage to question authority, moving beyond the mindset of the competitions. In this he has met criticism, but carries a generation of pipers with him. His research into earlier performance styles is part of a new spirit of exploration that yields great cultural riches in his new CD, Dastirum. As Allan has regularly demonstrated at the Edinburgh International Festival, our "big music" is not just for pipers." Neil Fraser (chairman of the John MacFadyen Memorial Trust
your starting point for an amazing intellectual and emotional experience..
"your starting point for an amazing intellectual and emotional experience... This CD transported me to places I have never been before." And that's a trumpeter speaking.
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