M & D Story in Brief
michael
Our Story in Brief
I am often asked how we became involved with hurdy-gurdies so here is our story in brief. In the 60’s we were giving school concerts based on early & folk music. Whilst researching early instruments Doreen found a reference to an instrument no one was playing – the hurdy-gurdy. In 1971 we found a maker in Spain and a street player in Paris and by 1972 I had renovated a 19th century instrument. Very soon Doreen studied with Gaston Rivière and thereafter all our concerts included bagpipes and hurdy gurdy.
Our first South Bank concert for parents and children was given in 1970 and this led to six or eight performances annually. The series ended in 1986, fifteen years after Doreen’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s, forcing us to stop all professional work. But our public concerts had in the meantime led to many workshops for which Doreen required a Method. We created this together and published it in a spirit of generosity, not only for ourselves but for those further afield. Little did we think that 200 copies would go so quickly! Now we are on the 3rd (edited) edition, but in between there were other reprints to fulfil the constant requests. There was also a French edition, for which there is still a demand, although out of print. We launched the Hurdy-gurdy Society and made plans available for building, a venture which gave great impetus to the movement.
As a harpsichordist Doreen enjoyed 18th century music and began to investigate the fascinating repertoire for the Hurdy-gurdy. We gave one important chamber concert in which the air of London vibrated to the sounds the hurdy-gurdy and musette for the first time in 200 years. I am now revisiting this repertoire which, as a former recorder soloist and current hurdy-gurdy player, I am finding to be full of interest. It is a constant wonder how the latent patterns on a page of music can be coaxed, through the medium of a musical instrument, into the most lively dance music. It is as though a painting has come to life, as though Venus herself has stepped from her shell to the shore and dances on the strand
Requests for Methods these days are pleasingly accompanied with words of thanks and appreciation. Passing people have given pot plants or sent interesting books and I even received a small pebble from a remote and magical bay in N.Z (N.I). To all these kind people we send our thanks.
It seems I am widely credited with saving the hurdy-gurdy from oblivion, but this is not quite correct, for there were also revivals in France and Germany. However, the hurdy-gurdy is now flourishing in every English-speaking country and beyond, which is a satisfactory but unexpected outcome.
The Method was Doreen’s baby whilst I was the midwife, so the honours go to her for the concept. Doreen’s birthday is early in June.
Michael Muskett
*Wikipedia: Birth of Venus
Arle Lommel
I don't want to detract from it in any way, but one phrase made me smile for reasons other than intended:
“Passing people have given pot plants…”
I think that's illegal in most countries ;-)
But, on a more serious note, thank you for your and Doreen’s dedication to the instrument. While the revival may have gone on without you, it would not have been the same and you and Doreen have certainly put your very impressive stamp on it.
Best,
Arle