The Ashokan Farewell

[oxysback]

Our church had an event a few weeks ago focusing on genealogy/family history. I was asked to play a Celtic piece on my flute (even though I'm of Swedish orgin...hehe) and my accompanyist handed her camcorder to my daughter to tape. I don't think I've ever seen myself play, so this was a treat for me. The sound came out pretty good, too.

Anyway, I thought I'd share. Just ingore the camera going in and out of focus and the crying kid.

The piece is called The Ashokan Farewell. It's not a traditional Celtic tune. It was written in the late 80's or so if memory serves me, but the style is definitely Celtic.

Enjoy!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...11532233059716

[Veronica]

It's from the soundtrack of the PBS series The Civil War that Ken Burns did.

Thom plays it on the piano.

It's a lovely piece.

V.

[mimitabby]

Yep, Jay Ungar wrote it; and Both Lisa S H and I can play it.

It's a great waltz!

[Tri Girl]

Wow! You've got an incredible talent!!!!
Thanks for sharing- I loved listening to you play.

[TsPoet]

I love that tune, and you played it beautifully!

[mudmucker]

Beautiful with the flute. Thanks for sharing, and actually stirring up some fun memories.

The following is a true story.

I never had the opportunity to play an instrument as a child. I always loved the fiddle/violin.

Ashoken Farewell is THE tune that compelled me to purchase a violin, after hearing it on the Civil War series. It is just hauntingly beautiful. I bought a violin to ultimately play that tune. At the time I bought it, I didn't know how to play at all. And, I didn't know how to read music. But I knew I could teach myself. Because my goal, was to play that song.

So at age 40, I went to my favorite music store in Brattleboro, VT and they had a good selection of violins. I said to the woman, this is my price range. But I don't play. So you are going to have to take the 5 or 6 that are in my price range and play them for me. I will then choose which one I like the best based on tonal qualities. I told her I was going to walk out of there with a violin in my hand. So we went out in the back, and I spent 2 hours with her, listening to her play the same songs on the different violins until I narrowed it down to one. It had a beautiful mellow tone to it.

Lessons were out of the question because they were so expensive. I taught myself the foundation of the song by ear. But I also wanted to read the notes as well. I went and looked for the music sheet for the song and found it. Then, I bought a beginner's violin book and proceeded to teach myself to read music. I bought a basic beginner "how to" video tape to get the knack of slides and slurs. After 3 months or so I had gotten a very good rendition of the song and it's better ever since. I finally "got" the vibrato after 6 months and was tickled pink for a week. It "just" happened, finally after alot of trying. I still don't play great - I need to advance and lessons are still too expensive and I can't find anyone close to me. I need to hang out with fiddle type musicians but I don't know any. All I know, is that I feel wonderful inside when I play.

[oxysback]

Thanks to those who've listened and commented. It means a lot.

Mudmucker, thanks for sharing your story. And props to you for keeping at it even though you couldn't afford lessons. I really admire those that can play by ear. I'm so 'chained' to the music that some styles are difficult to play, especially if they require any sort of ad lib.

It is really all about the feeling, isn't it? I'm the children's chorister at my church and a lot of them are a bit shy about singing. I always tell them it's not as much about how you sound, but how you feel when you sing (or play...or whatever!).