Annotation:President (1) (The)

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PRESIDENT, THE. Scottish, "Violin Solo" (Polka time). A Major ('A','B','C' parts) & D Major ('D' part). Standard tuning (fiddle). ABCD(Trio), with variations. A virtuostic composition by Scottish fiddler-composer and dancing master biography:J. Scott Skinner [1] (1843-1927), published in both his Scottish Violinist (1900) and Harp and Claymore (1904). It is his most technically demanding piece for the left hand. Skinner played in the United States twice, in 1893 and again in 1926 (at the age of 82), and "The President" was composed for his earlier tour. Purser (1992) states the tune shows Skinner’s classical techniques: “To the purist, The President has only a peripheral place in the tradition, but it is still played in country pubs in Aberdeenshire by fiddlers who would make short work of purists if given the chance.”

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Alburger (Scottish Fiddlers and Their Music), 1983; Ex. 109, p. 186 (variation II only). Hardie (Caledonian Companion), 1992; pp. 135-139 (with variations by Skinner). Purser (Scotland’s Music), 1992; Ex. 14, p. 238. Skinner (Harp and Claymore), 1904; pp. 176-179 (theme and variations). Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), 1900; pp. 18-19.

Recorded sources: Topic 12T280, J. Scott Skinner “The Starthspey King.”

See also listing at:
See Gavin Grieg's manuscript copy of the tune [2]