Posted 04 May 2009 - 07:09 AM
Having studied law for many years, I would naturally not wish to do anything unethical. Similarly, it would not seem quite right to have to reveal all my sources. Suffice it to say that I merely requested and received permission to photocopy a limited number of each of the tutors. Thus eletronic means was not an issue. Whilst I am "komputar littterate" too many breakdowns still occur in this infant medium - I still cherish the printed word! You see I live in Gloucester, U.K., (birthplace of Sir Charles Wheatstone) where the Government Commuications Headquarters (remember the Gen. Belgrano affair?) is just up the road. Cynics like my self blame them for all breakdowns in airwaves communications around here.
Incidentally, I do have connections, albeit remotely, with many contirbutors to the two tutors. Whilst living in Nottingham, I communicated with Herbert Hague, who contributed p. 28. He was at the time very ill, and his son, Alan, kindly invited me to his home for share concertina music. Whilst there on one occasion he introduced me to Reuben Shaw (p. 45 of the Richard Carlin Tutor), that doyen of concertina players. A gracious and encouraging gentleman, he frightened me when he honoured me by asking me to play aduet with him.
I did not know Henry Hall who contributed at least pp. 41 and 45, but his sister, who was a Salvation Army Officer, was at one time the wife of my Divisional Commander.
I did meet Eric Ball (in fact my parents knew his cousin extremely well) who used to accompnay Bram Thornett (see Triumph/Crane Tutor, p. 52) during his recordings. In fact Eric Ball was the Bandmaster at S.P.& S., the department that actually published the tutors.
Handel is referred to on many pages in both tutors. I cannot confess to knowing him, but each day during my college studies I would twice stroll along the Pantiles, where he was wont to promenade. Well, to be quite truthful, my return journey would quite frequently be by the quickest sprint in town, as after yet another detention, I dashed to catch my normal train home so my mother would no know of my latest misdemeanour. How I wished his mantle would fall on me, but alas, it never has.
Readers may know the 1936 ed., was a rehash/enlargement of the original 1924 original version (yes, I have a copy) attributed to Colonel Bristowe. His son Ralph was the long time and highly respected Bandmaster of the Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls Band, with whom I at one time played.
Finally, thanks to Jeremy Hague for pointing out the Jenny Jones theme on p. 41. Somehow it never occurred to me before!
