The Gipsy Hornpipe / Nelson’s Hornpipe

Donnellan Collection; performed by Darren Mag Aoidh.

‘A version of Nelson’s Hornpipe was familiar to me though this setting as one or two twists and turns that were new to me (in the opening two bars and in bars 12 and 13 as notated). I also enjoy playing tunes which are not symmetrical or predictable; this tune includes new melodic material in the final four bars rather than repeating any of the earlier phrases which is more common. With a very different feel to it, ‘The Gipsy Hornpipe’ – I feel – has a touch of both humour and pathos. It was totally unknown to me before encountering it in the collection. Although it seems reasonable to expect that each part would be repeated, there is no ‘first time’ version of the ending of the second part so I took the liberty of altering the written note slightly to fit this. The second part is quite ‘acrobatic’ on the fiddle and is very satisfying to play, along with the challenges of making the leaps sound as seamless as possible.’
                                                            Darren Mag Aoidh, Fiddle player for ORIEL ARTS

Oriel Arts © Ceoltaí Éireann 2018

Music Manuscript

Printed music manuscript full score here:  29. The Gipsy Hornpipe 

No 29 The Gipsy Hornpipe – notation Darren Mag Aoidh copyright ORIEL ARTS

Donnellan MS – 29 The Gipsy Hornpipe

Nelsons Hornpipe No. 4 Donnellan Collection A Hidden Ulster

Printed music manuscript full score here:  2. Nelson’s Hornpipe

No 2 Nelson’s Hornpipe — notation Darren Mag Aoidh copyright ORIEL ARTS 2017

No 8 – Nelsons Hornpipe © National Folklore Collection UCD with kind permission 2017