Justice Balance

  1. Martin Jonas
    Martin Jonas
    This is a somewhat curious tune: on the one hand, it has impeccable credentials as an English country dance, having been published in 1780 in London publisher Charles and Samuel Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Country Dances, vol. 4. On the other hand, the first two bars are plainly identical to "Carolan's Draught", and although it then goes into a quite different direction, the entire tune sounds like a "lost" Carolan treasure.

    Either way, it's fun to play! This setting is by Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni (much missed and fondly remembered). We play this fairly regularly with our group, including at our latest meeting last Thursday, but for some reason I had not recorded it previously, so here it is. Standard notation, ABC and annotations at Tunearch: Link

    1898 Giuseppe Vinaccia mandolin (x2)
    Suzuki MC-815 mandocello



    Martin
  2. John Kelly
    John Kelly
    Intriguing title, Martin. As you say, the opening bars echo O'Carolan's Draught. A fine arrangement and played well up to your usual standard.
  3. Simon DS
    Simon DS
    Aye, the plot thickens. Fine playing and thanks for posting this strangely titled tune Martin, it certainly has a simple up or down feeling about it.
    If only life was like that.
  4. Martin Jonas
    Martin Jonas
    Thanks, John and Simon!. As far as the title goes, Tunearch says: "Justice Balance is a character in George Farquhar's play The Recruiting Officer (1706), a gentle and affectionate satire on provincial life and the human nature of national heroes. Balance is the father of Silvia, who will inherit his fortune when he dies." The play is probably better known as the basis for Bertold Brecht's last completed play "Pauken und Trompeten" (Trumpets and Drums), also featuring the Justice Balance. The other two judges in the play are called "Justice Scale" and "Justice Scruple", so they're really stock characters.

    Martin
  5. Sherry Cadenhead
    Sherry Cadenhead
    Nice, as always, Martin.
  6. Frithjof
    Frithjof
    Thanks, Martin, for the fine recording and for the history.
  7. Christian DP
    Christian DP
    Nice piece of music, executed executed, Martin.
  8. Simon DS
    Simon DS
  9. Sherry Cadenhead
    Sherry Cadenhead
    Nice!
  10. Frankdolin
    Frankdolin
    Beautiful versions Martin and Simon! I love the contrasting interpretations of identical pieces of music we get here at SAW.
  11. Frithjof
    Frithjof
    Somehow missed Simon’s recording last autumn. Fine playing on the octave mandolin.
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