Gordon Duncan: Difference between revisions
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.gordonduncan.co.uk/ Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust] |
*[http://www.gordonduncan.co.uk/ Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust] |
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Just for Gordon. 2012. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-UCdslwnk8 Just For Gordon / Dha Gordon a-mhain - BBC Alba]. (BBC Alba documentary on the great Gordon Duncan's piping). Scotland: BBC Alba. |
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Revision as of 06:52, 31 January 2014
Gordon Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1964 Turriff, Aberdeenshire |
| Died | December 14, 2005 (aged 41) |
| Instrument | Bagpipes |
Gordon Duncan (May 14, 1964 – December 14, 2005) was a bagpiper and composer, born in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. He composed over one hundred tunes in his lifetime, with perhaps his most famous work, Andy Renwick's Ferret, being performed and recorded internationally.[1][2][3][4]
Early life
Born in Turriff, Duncan moved with his family to Pitlochry as a young child. He began his piping career at the age of 10, winning many junior competitions under the tuition of Walter Drysdale,[3] but started to lose interest in competition piping by the age of 18, at which point he was an apprentice joiner.[1]
Career
He attracted attention from folk bands, touring the US and Europe with the Tannahill Weavers, Wolfstone and Ceolbeg and became associated with Dougie MacLean, playing low whistle on his albums.[1][5] He began composing soon afterwards, having travelled across Europe and been exposed to other traditions, especially Breton music.[1]
He also performed with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and the Atholl Highlanders, as well as being signed by Greentrax as a solo artist.[1][2]
Duncan created a new style of idiosyncratic bagpipe music.[3] He also incorporated the bagpipes into a rendition of AC/DC's Thunderstruck.[1] His work was heard at T in the Park, Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours in Canada, the Lorient festival in Brittany, where he was the two-time winner of the MacAllan Trophy and the Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland.[4][6]
He worked as a refuse collector and was known to scribble compositions on cigarette packets whilst at work.[3]
Death
In 2005, after a long struggle with alcoholism, Duncan committed suicide; his funeral was held at Pitlochry Church of Scotland and was attended by hundreds of pipers.[2][6] He is survived by his mother and father, brother and two sisters, as well as his son, Gordon, and his wife, Mary.[3]
Since 2007 an annual A National Treasure concert has been staged in Perth by the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, with the BBC airing the 2011 concert.[6][7][8][9]
Discography
- Just for Seumas (1994)
- Circular Breath (1997)
- Thunderstruck (2003)
- Just for Gordon (2007) - (Posthumous Compilation)[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Adams, Rob (22 December 2005). "Gordon Duncan; Renowned musician and composer". The Herald. Glasgow. p. 16. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ a b c "Funeral of renowned piper who died at 41". Aberdeen Evening Express. 21 December 2005. p. 18.
- ^ a b c d e Gilchrist, Jim (20 December 2005). "Obituary: Gordon Duncan". The Scotsman. p. 33. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ a b McDonald, Graham (20 June 2001). "Night with piper far from highland fling". Canberra Times. Australia. p. 8.
- ^ Adams, Rob (13 December 1990). "THEATRE / Brand new bag; Rob Adams reports on attempts to breathe new life into an ancient tradition". The Independent. London. p. 14.
- ^ a b c English, Spaul (31 December 2011). "Just for Gordon Sunday, BBC Alba, Pipers' Champion; Piper was Regarded as One of the Most Innovative Performers and Composers". Daily Record. pp. 16–17.
- ^ Gilchrist, Jim (20 September 2012). "Review : Folk, Jazz, Etc : Blowing up a storm in celebration of piper Duncan's legacy". The Scotsman. p. 10.
- ^ Adams, Rob (26 September 2011). "A National Treasure V, Perth Concert Hall". The Herald. Glasgow. p. 17. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ "The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust". The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ "Gordon Duncan". Retrieved 13 April 2013.
External links
Just for Gordon. 2012. Just For Gordon / Dha Gordon a-mhain - BBC Alba. (BBC Alba documentary on the great Gordon Duncan's piping). Scotland: BBC Alba.