PROGRAM NOTES
This movement is a conversation amongst some men in hiding a few days after Culloden, with topics ranging from "Why were the MacPhearsons late?" to "Where will I go now?" It is a human recounting of the whole rising of "’45" told by the men who witnessed it. I tried to incorporate tunes appropriate to their subjects: Prince Charles, food – the lack thereof, whiskey – a necessity, Clan Battle Calls, patriotic songs, marriage songs (for many of them married all during the campaign), bawdy sex songs, even a pipe jig that Prince Charles supposedly parlor-danced to two days prior to the battle of Culloden. There is Johnny Cope, a tune commemorating their victory at Prestopans earlier in the uprising (which is still used today as reveille in the Scottish Pipe Regiments) and Killie Crankie, a 350-year-old to date battle victory call-to-arms as well as some good old-fashioned spousal discording, kilt-swirling and whiskey-drinking pipe reels!
The finale ends on a positive note, since the Scots always seem to land on their feet in mid-stride, confirming their honor, heritage and steadfastness in the single sentence: "I don’t know where I am to go now, but I do know, wherever I go, Scotland goes with me!"
Culloden’s three movements (the first two are available separately) may be performed singly, in pairs (I & II, II & III) or as the complete set. Extensive additional historical information is at the end of the published score.
III. "We Toomed Our Stoops for the Gaudy Sodgers"
("We Emptied Our Glasses for the Handsome Soldiers")
Movement III, Finale (8:40)
Grade 5
Premiered March 1, 2000 at the
American Bandmasters Association Convention, Austin, Texas
by The University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony
Recording by
Louisiana State University
Wind Ensemble
Frank B. Wickes, Conducting
