No one knows what sounds were played on originally bone flutes, or in which everyday practices and imaginary worlds what we now take for granted as ‘music’ was embedded. Life in the Palaeolithic Age? An existence marked by excessive cruelty. Occasionally a bright note. Otherwise hunger, fear, pain. Perhaps. Perhaps not. One of the few […]
Dissecting Heritage
Traditions are a tricky thing. Some people want to preserve them – perhaps because they offer them orientation, a sense of belonging and stability. Others see them as unwelcome, possibly even discredited burdens that should be thrown overboard sooner rather than later. The middle ground is where things get difficult. Finding a way of dealing […]
If It Was Easy
Playing the bagpipes is exhausting. You just have to fight with the instrument long enough to be able to tame it at some point and make music with it. It happens that such and similar ideas of one’s own instrument as an opponent to be conquered are cultivated by fellow players and confirmed by individual […]