strathspey@strathspey.org:69476

Chris Ronald

Re: Arthur's Seat - bars 31-32

Feb. 26, 2018, 7:36 p.m. (Message 69476, in reply to message 69475)

Arthur McLean wrote:

"Oh dear, I don't know what edition of Jack McConachie's book Chris is
quoting from.  I have a copy of the original, published in 1960 and signed
by Jack (he was my teacher, when I was a teenager).It clearly states
"31-32  First couple turn each other with right hands to own sides, in 2nd
place."He has copious notes on each dance, including details for bars 25-30
of Arthur's Seat, which are commonly called "Hello goodbye setting" today.
I know HGB setting typically ends with a petronella turn, so this may have
crept in over the last 50+ years, but it is definitely NOT in the original
1960 publication."

My copy of the 18th Century Book has the following notation on page 2:

First Edition       1960
Second Edition (Reset, revised and enlarged)    1963
Reprinted   1967
Reprinted   1990

It would seem that Jack McConachie changed his mind about his 1960
interpretation of the ending of the dance, probably already in 1963.

To respond to Eric's original posting, the RSCDS is not in the business of
interpreting dances that they have not published, and speaking personally I
would think it unlikely that it would start down this path, which could
lead to lots of controversy, as the current discussion illustrates.

By the way, the recording for this dance by Dave Wiesler and Hanneke Cassel
is one of my absolute favourites.

Chris.