Hihorodo hao – lesson 2

A series of pibroch lessons dedicated to the memory of David Hester (1962–2019). Barnaby Brown introduces Jimmy Carnegie to "Hihorodo hao" (PS 191). With a spirit of adventure, he draws out what is unusual about John MacGregor's setting of 1820, addressing whatever gets in the way of bringing this music to life.

Whole series playlist and introduction –    • Hihorodo hao (PS 191) – a series of pibroc...  
High-resolution image of the manuscript – https://www.altpibroch.com/ps191 (source "A").

In this lesson, Barnaby introduces the 2nd Quarter of the Ùrlar, tells the story of the PS catalogue numbers, and draws attention to a finger movement lost in the process of standardization. Taken directly from the chanter playing of Lord MacDonald's piper, Angus MacArthur, the form of the movement on D is unique to this score. As it rhymes with the movement on high G, it is well worth believing.

David Hester fought fearlessly against status quo bias, causing discomfort to instil positive change in a musical environment that rewards conformity. Rather than grumble about a culture that was in the habit of killing off curiosity and imagination, he established the Alt Pibroch Club (https://www.altpibroch.com).

Recorded in Cambridge, UK, 14 October 2020