RE: Re: [HG] From the Savannah Morning News Today....

[Jean-Paul Carton]

Thanks Simon, Michael, etc. Good job “Michael”! “State of the art” was indeed in the original publicity (http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/sevennations/hgBouf-Chab.htm) before it underwent several changes and went to the press. The switch to “experimental” may be due to me or my overworked Irish colleague who has helped me put the series together and get the grant money for these free events. Actually, from my conversations with Gilles about his instrument and how he goes from what he has to what he wants I think “experimental” works quite well. Personally, it’s whatever Gilles wants it to be. Regarding the other point discussed in his thread, which I understand quite well (although I have not seen the Savannah Morning News article), I would like to reassure anyone who has strong feelings about this that no one connected with this program is saying that hurdy-gurdy=Celtic. If there is anything inappropriate at http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/sevennations/hginfo.htm please let me know and I will consider changing it (once we have the evidence). Actually my feeling is that we are doing quite the opposite. Our next event is entitled “CELTICNESS: The Modern Invention of an Identity” (more at  http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/irish/celtic/17oct.htm  if you are interested). I will certainly mention Simon’s point about Galicia and propaganda at that session. The purpose of the series is to explore Celtic AND regional identity, how people view themselves, etc. The fact that the hg is in Brittany does not take anything away from any other tradition that uses it but it is interesting to know why some folks think it is typical of Brittany, or Auvergne, or …why some folks who are not from Brittany seem to want to be Bretons (“Ce soir, nous sommes tous bretons!” [Tonight we are all from Brittany]–Tri Yann, Saint-Chartier 2005; “"Y a 2 sortes de gens: les Bretons et ceux qui rêvent de l'être" ” [There are two types of people: Bretons and wanna be Bretons] (T-shirt found in France).   Anyone interested in accuracy please look at our concert/events website and let us know off list if you have any suggestions (http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/sevennations/hgconcert.htm).   Wish y’all were closer to us to discuss this. I hope some of you will be able to come to the show. I’ve heard from a couple of people that will in spite of the many miles that separate us.   Simon, by the way, thanks for your information on metal tangents on this list a couple of years ago. They work for me!   Jean-Paul http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/   October 24 : Internationally Acclaimed French Hurdy-Gurdy Players in Concert at Georgia Southern University (http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/sevennations/hgconcert.htm) What is a hurdy-gurdy ? (http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/~jnpcrtn/sevennations/hginfo.htm) Video of a modern electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy (http://www.ladraille.org/IMG/mov/dvdClastrier-2.mov)   Seven-Nations Experience: Georgia Southern University Explores Celtic and Regional  Identity in Western Europe -----Original Message----- From: owner-hg@hurdygurdy.com [mailto:owner-hg@hurdygurdy.com] On Behalf Of Michael Gaschler Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 4:28 PM To: hg@hurdygurdy.com Subject: Re: Re: [HG] From the Savannah Morning News Today....   Dear Simon and the rest,  I think you have raised some very good questions, and here is a small start in beginning to answer them.   First, you wonder what the mysterious 'Seven Celtic Nations' are. Judith provided a very nice link in her email that led you to a page on the GSU website, The very first thing that it addresses is the identity and history of the Seven Celtic Nations.   Second, I will agree that the Celts cannot make any sort of claim to being the creators of the Hurdy Gurdy, but, as with many, many other instruments, the development and use did not arise from only one group of people or one geographic location. So, maybe 'commonly' is a touch inappropriate, but it is an honest mistake.   Furthermore, I believe that the word 'experimental' might be (again) a bit too sweeping of a description. Perhaps something more along the lines of 'state-of--the-art' would be more fitting. But even then, does it matter? I personally would be very contented to be able to see a fine Gurdy-ist like Chabenat play in concert, even if he isn't using an 'experimental' hurdy gurdy.   Once again, you raised good points that I feel deserve an answer. I hope I have helped answer those and I would invite anybody else to chime in with their two cents if they feel that I have inadequately addressed any issues.     Yours, Michael Gaschler   -- []\/[] [] { []=[] /\ []= []_