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Petrie's Complete Irish Music: 1,582 Traditional Melodies: Vocal Book

$39.95 USD
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Petrie's Complete Irish Music: 1,582 Traditional Melodies Cover Image
Petrie's Complete Irish Music: 1,582 Traditional Melodies: Vocal Book

Petrie's Complete Irish Music: 1,582 Traditional Melodies: Vocal Book

Item: 06-430804
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Description
Edward Bunting fell into his destiny when, at the age of 19, he was commissioned to write down the tunes performed at a gathering of traditional harp players in Belfast in July 1792. This innocent beginning signaled the start of a 100-year process of enormous importance: the preservation of a country's music, which otherwise might be lost forever. In time, Bunting passed the torch to apprentice George Petrie who, in turn, became instrumental in founding the Society for the Preservation and Publication of the Melodies of Ireland, which published Petrie's first collection in 1855. Finally, it was Petrie's daughter who entrusted the much-honored Sir Charles Stanford with three bound volumes of her father's work, leading to the ultimate compilation, published in 1905, of 1,582 traditional melodies -- the musical wealth of a nation. Unabridged Dover republication, in one volume, of The Complete Collection of Irish Music as Noted by George Petrie from the Original Manuscripts -- the three-volume set originally completed by the Irish Literary Society of London between 1902 and 1905. Preface by Charles Villiers Stanford. Dr. Petrie's Introduction. Index. Note.

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Additional Details
Series: Dover Edition
Publisher: Dover Publications
ISBN10: 0-486-43080-4
ISBN13: 978-0-486-43080-5
UPC: 9780486430805
SKU: 06-430804

More about this title

About the Creator: George Petrie

George Petrie (1790-1882) inherited a mission from Edward Bunting, the harpist who first systematically documented Irish traditional music in the 1790s. Petrie devoted his life to collecting, preserving, and organizing thousands of melodies from across Ireland, traveling extensively to record tunes from musicians and singers before they vanished. His work became the foundation for the Society for the Preservation and Publication of the Melodies of Ireland, and his three bound volumes of manuscripts ultimately passed to Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, who oversaw their publication as a unified collection in the early 1900s.

This collection represents the labor of three generations and embodies Petrie's conviction that Ireland's musical heritage belonged to the world. His meticulous notation and indexing transformed oral tradition into permanent record, making it possible for singers and musicians today to access melodies that might otherwise have been lost to time.

Why we love this

This unabridged Dover edition gives you direct access to one of the most comprehensive repositories of Irish traditional song ever compiled, complete with Petrie's original organizational system and Charles Villiers Stanford's authoritative preface. The sheer scope (1,582 melodies) means you can build an entire Irish song curriculum or find exactly the right tune for any vocal ensemble context, from concert programming to community singing events.

What to expect

These melodies carry the warmth and spirit of centuries of Irish singing, captured in clear, singable lines that honor both the dancer's rhythmic drive and the ballad singer's lyrical phrasing. Each tune invites personal interpretation while remaining grounded in the melodic language that has defined Irish musical identity.

Who it's for

This resource serves singers and directors working with Irish traditional repertoire, community choirs exploring folk song heritage, and anyone building a comprehensive reference library of Western folk music. It is equally valuable for voice students learning to sight-read vocal melody, musicologists studying tradition and transcription, and performers seeking authentic sources for traditional Irish material.

How to get the most out of it

  • Explore the index and notes to understand the geographic and thematic organization; Petrie grouped melodies by region and tradition, which can guide your selection and help singers understand cultural context.
  • Treat these as source material for your own arrangements; the notation captures the melodies in their essential form, leaving room for interpretation in tempo, ornamentation, and accompaniment.
  • Pay attention to modal characteristics in the melodies; many Irish traditional tunes sit comfortably in modes that may feel unfamiliar to singers trained primarily on major and minor scales.

How to use it

Integrate selections from this collection into folk song festivals, heritage concert series, or thematic programs exploring British Isles traditions. Because the melodies are presented in their essential form without accompaniment, they pair naturally with piano, guitar, or full ensemble arrangements, allowing you to adjust each piece to your ensemble's needs and skill level.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading vocal melody in multiple keys and modes
  • Understanding ornamentation and stylistic variations in traditional song
  • Performing unaccompanied vocal lines with confidence and phrasing
  • Recognizing regional and thematic patterns in folk music structure

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