The Salamanca

About this film

Irish bagpipes solo, HMV B1947. Piper Michael Gallagher recorded this tune around the same time as Walsh, and Gallagher's recording may be heard on this site as well. The two versions differ greatly in ornamentation, and while both are very bouncy performances Walsh's has even more swing. A friend of mine transcribed some of these early piping recordings, and set some of the reels in 12/8, usually used for jigs, instead of the usual 4/4, to convey this swing. Salamanca is a town in Spain, famous for its university where many priests have studied. This reel was originally a Scottish composition, Wild Salamanca, composed to commemorate Wellington's 1812 victory against the French in the Peninsular Wars.

Directors & creators

Liam Walsh

Subjects

Irish; Celtic; Bagpipe; Uilleann; Folk; Oldtime; 78rpm

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