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Unjust Incarceration

Title

Alternative Title

An Ceapadh Encorach

Artist

Andrew Wright, RU Brown, Donald Morrison, Robert Reid, WM MacDonald (abbreviated with Taorluath a Mach), Malcolm R MacPherson

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Information

Robert Reid plays the Unjust Incarcaration

Neil, son of MacKay of Strathnaver, was imprisoned on the Bass Rock for nine years in 1427, by James I, in his effort to control the highland clans. Neil escaped following the murder of the King in 1436, and was known thereafter as Neil Vass. Iain Dall MacKay, the blind piper, wrote this tune over 200 years after the event. The music describes the sadness, hope, and anger of imprisonment.

Judges Note 2012

Time signatures are given as 3/4 in PS 2 but common time in K. Whatever the time signature, the tune follows a three pulse phrase pattern. PS and K also illustrate different possible timings of the Cs and Bs following cadences in lines 1 and 2 of the ground.
An optional additional line 3, from the Campbell Canntaireachd, is also shown in the PS version. The notes on page 43 indicate that, although this gives the tune a peculiar and unique construction, it was definitely played by some pipers in the past. Competitors who intend to play the optional line 3 should advise the judges before playing.
The variations all follow the same straightforward pattern but it will be important to capture the mood, tempo and balance of phrasing appropriate to the tune. A crunluath a mach is normally played in this tune and Binneas includes a taorluath a mach.

Malcolm MacPherson was a grandson of Calum Piobaire MacPherson, and son of Angus MacPherson. He was a renowned contemporary of John MacDonald of Inverness. The recordings were made in his later life when circumstances were not ideal. They reflect the style of playing indicated in the collection Binneas is Boreraig, which was compiled from Malcolm MacPherson's playing by Dr Roddy Ross.

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PS Book 2, Kilberry, Binneas

Donald MacDonald Junior Unlawful Quarter
Angus MacKay Manuscript Unjust Incarceration
John MacKay Manuscript An Capagh Earcorach 43
David Glen's Book The Unjust Incarceration
John MacDougall-Gillies Manuscript Unjust Incarceration
Colin Cameron Manuscript 16 The Unjust Incarcreation
John Smith MS The Piper's Lamentation on the Stocks