The Battle Of The Somme

[Chris Drinkwater]

I recorded this tune, The Battle of the Somme, a while ago on my 1854 brass-reeded Wheatstone baritone English, but have only just got round to posting a link to it on Soundcloud. The tune was composed by Pipe-major William Lawrie, of the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1916, while the regiment were serving in the trenches. William Lawrie became ill in the trenches and was invalided back to England where he later died as a result of his illness in a military hospital in Oxford in 1916, aged 35 years old. He composed some 20 tunes, the majority of which have survived and this is his most famous tune. I have recorded it in commemoration of the centenary of the first world war. Although often notated in 9/8 time, I prefer to play it a bit slower in 3/4 time, emphasising the dotted crochets.

 

https://soundcloud.com/aeolaman/the-battle-of-the-somme

 

Chris

Edited December 9, 2014 by Chris Drinkwater

[alex_holden]

Very nice, thanks for posting.

[Chris Drinkwater]

Thanks, Alex. It was fun to play my aged baritone for once. It doesn't get nearly as much exercise as my trebles do!

 

Chris

[Mike Franch]

Another "very nice" from me! Thanks.

 

Could you tell us a little bit about your instrument. For example, does it have baffles? I'm wondering how much the tone is due due to the brass reeds and how much to the baritone range. I don't think I've ever heard a baritone "live," so I'm really not familiar with the sound, regardless of reed material.

[hjcjones]

The army plays this quite briskly but the folk scene usually takes it a bit more slowly, probably influenced by the Albion Band's version.

 

Here's my version (on my long-redundant Myspace page) - C/G and G/D anglos and guitar.

 

https://myspace.com/howardjcjones/music/song/the-battle-of-the-somme-949361-964602

[Chris Drinkwater]

Another "very nice" from me! Thanks.

 

Could you tell us a little bit about your instrument. For example, does it have baffles? I'm wondering how much the tone is due due to the brass reeds and how much to the baritone range. I don't think I've ever heard a baritone "live," so I'm really not familiar with the sound, regardless of reed material.

 

 

 

Hi Mike - only rather belatedly seen your reply and questions. Thanks for the kind comments. My baritone does have baffles. They are replacements, made from pine, as original. The originals had been removed at some stage, presumably to make it sound louder, unfortunately. Because it has brass reeds, it was originally made, I believe, as a 'palour' instrument, designed to accompany someone singing, rather than for playing tunes on , as such. Apart from the baffles and being tuned to modern concert pitch, it is in totally original condition; not bad for a 160 year-old instrument! I think the tone is due to a combination of the brass reeeds, which produce a softer sound and the its baritone range.

 

Chris

 

Chris