The Life and Music of Alexander Laing (1792-1868). Convict, Constable, Fiddler and Composer. 65 Original Melodies Drawn from a Rare Manuscript with Historical Commentary.
Drawing on a rare music manuscript recently discovered by Peter MacFie, On the Fiddle from Scotland to Tasmania 1815-1868 makes available the previously hidden musical legacy of Alexander Laing, Scottish-born soldier, convict, fiddler, composer and constable.
After being transported to New South Wales in 1813, Laing arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). He died there in 1868, leaving many descendants.
In the context of folk music traditions, the authors examine the musical, historical and cultural significance of Laing’s manuscript in 19th Century Tasmania and Australian history, and reproduce 65 of Laing’s original tunes.
The book consists of two sections: A history by Peter MacFie of Alexander Laing’s life and times in colonial Tasmania seen through the title dedications of the tunes; and a re-transcription of the 65 tunes with added chord accompaniment by musicians Steve Gadd and Marjorie Gadd, who comment on the broader musical significance of the Laing’s work.
Details
| Authors | Peter MacFie and Steve & Marjorie Gadd |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 978-0-646-56618-4 |
Purchase
Order online (as below) or if you are in the Hobart area, you might try contact via this website to save postage.
Index
The index for On the Fiddle from Scotland to Tasmania 1815-1865
Book Tunes
The 65 Tunes Appearing in “On the Fiddle”
Manuscript Tunes
All 243 Tunes in the Original Laing Manuscript