The team behind the Tom Morris statue in St Andrews has commissioned one of Scotland’s finest fiddle players, Pete Clark, to compose two pieces of music for Champion Golfers, Old Tom and Young Tommy Morris.

Chair of the Committee, Commodore Ronald Sandford says: “For some time I had been wondering about a fiddle tune to add to the legacy of Old Tom Morris. On 21st August this year at a musical evening in Forgan House I heard the fiddle tune titled Robert Fergusson and that provided the necessary impetus.”

The idea moved forward at a meeting of the Old Tom Statue Project Group in October. Ronald explains: “Fiddle tunes were on the agenda. In the course of discussion, sculptor of the Tom Morris statue, David Annand, reckoned Pete ‘The Fiddler’ Clark might be interested.”

Exchanges followed and Pete was commissioned to compose a tune, to be titled Old Tom Morris.

In the course of a further chat, Pete confirmed that he’d also like to compose a tune in memory of young Tommy Morris, the star golfer of his day, who died so tragically young in 1875 at the age of just 24.

Adding trust …

The St Andrews Links Trust has given their support, and the Morris family relations have also given the project their blessings.

Pete Clark, who taught on the Scottish Music degree course at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, says: “When David Annand told me he had been commissioned to create a sculpture of Old Tom Morris, I knew he would come up with a fabulous likeness to this legend of golf.” He adds: “Having seen the film Tommy’s Honour, I had been aware of the great man, truly a national treasure and after Ronald contacted me regarding a possible tribute in music, I delved a bit further into the story.”

Pete learned more about Old Tom and the tragically short life of Young Tommy and was moved to compose a slow air for the latter and a bold strathspey for Morris senior.  He concludes: “I consider it a great honour to be asked to immortalise someone in music, and hope that my efforts have captured something of these two great characters.”

On the two pieces of music Pete is accompanied by Muriel Johnstone, one of the most highly acclaimed musicians in the world of Scottish country dancing. The celebrated pianist and prolific composer has recorded over 30 albums and has produced many books of her original compositions.

St Andrews Day

The first official playing of the Old Tom Morris tune will be on BBC Radio 3 on St Andrews Day, Sunday 30th November. It is the launch of BBC Radio 3’s Christmas season and they will be broadcasting live from St Salvator’s chapel from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, on North Street – the very street where Tom played as a boy.  Ronald ends: “It is simply the perfect place to play this fine tune, which honours the life of one of Scotland’s greatest golfers.”

 

Need more?

Given the geographic proximity of their homes and their shared passion for Scotland’s music, Pete and Muriel love opportunities to collaborate, whether for dancing or for sheer listening enjoyment …

• Pete was born and raised in Dunfermline, but now lives in highland Perthshire, not far from where the celebrated fiddler Niel Gow lived over two centuries ago.  A former fiddle tutor on the Scottish Music degree course at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, he continues to perform, record and compose, and to teach privately.  Pete currently coaches and conducts the Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society, is co-founder and honorary Chairman of the annual Niel Gow Festival and, for almost 20 years, directed his own biannual fiddle courses in Birnam. For more about Pete, visit: www.pete-clark.com
• Although “classically” trained, Muriel has always found the pull of traditional music irresistible.  She has taught and played for Scottish country dance classes and musicians’ courses all over the world.   During her playing career, she has performed and recorded with many notable musicians, from Angus Fitchet to Alasdair Fraser.  For more about Muriel, visit: www.scotscores.com

 

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