Folkopedia - User contributions [en]

User:Joe Wass

2009-04-01T22:13:17Z

Joe Wass:

I'm a melodeon, accordion and occasional concertina player from Oxford. I play English, French and the odd Irish tune. I am to be found at sessions in and around Oxford, especially the Half Moon.

I run FolkTuneFinder.com, a search engine for folk and traditional tunes in the ABC format. In my spare time I research and experiment with ideas that go into Folk Tune Finder. By day I'm a software engineer working at a security software company.

Speed The Plough

2009-04-01T22:11:30Z

Joe Wass: spelling correction

Speed The Plough was composed in 1800 by [[John Moorhead]], who originally called it The Naval Pillar. The tune was used in Thomas Morton's sentimental play with a rural setting 'Speed The Plough' produced in London the same year and after that the tune was known by the title of the play. ([[Hugh Rippon]]).

Moorhead was born in Ireland around 1760 and at an early age emigrated to England, where he became a member of the orchestra in many coutry theatres. In 1798 he left Manchester to accept Dibdin's invitation of becoming a player and composer at Sadlers Wells. He then became a member of the orchestra at Covent Garden and began to compose for that company. The other famous composition of his which is still in use is '[[Muffin Man|The Muffin Man]]'.

From 1802 Moorhead suffered fits of insanity, and was jailed; following his release he entered the Navy but shortly afterwards, during another episode of insanity, hanged himself.

O'Neill's comment that he was born in Edinburgh and then moved to Armagh appears to be incorrect.

For much information as to sources for the tune see Andrew Kuntz's [http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/SPA_SPL.htm#SPEED_THE_PLOW/PLOUGH Fiddlers Companion].

(PB)

[[Category: Tune]]

User:Joe Wass

2009-04-01T19:03:50Z

Joe Wass:

I'm a melodeon, accordion and occasional concertina player from Oxford. I play English, French and the odd Irish tune. I am to be found at sessions in and around Oxford.

I run FolkTuneFinder.com, a search engine for folk and traditional tunes in the ABC format. In my spare time I research and experiment with ideas that go into Folk Tune Finder. By day I'm a software engineer working at a security software company.