Several things were different about this recital compared with those in the past. Firstly, as with the last recital, both pipers opted to play down on the dance floor rather than up on the stage. This gave us a good chance to hear their pipes close up. But for the first time, both pipers remained static throughout the night - neither piper marched or moved about at all while playing. Their style of dress was also interesting. Gordon appeared in a kilt that hung low over his knees and an early 1900's-style horse-hair sporran, an open-necked white shirt and a very loose tie... (Well it was warm, I suppose). Allan opted to forsake the kilt entirely and played in civilian clothes - Cape Breton-style.

Gordon Duncan:This was Gordon's 4th visit to the Society. He has long been recognised as one of Scotland's most brilliant and innovative pipers. Many of his compositions are being played by pipers all over the world. His first CD "Just For Seumais" created an instant in music circles. Later he recorded "Circular Breath" and this year will be releasing his third CD. His family have long been associated with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, in which he plays and teaches the young pipers. He has als performed solo all over the world, and also with such diverse groups as "Ceolbeg", "The Tannahills", "Dougie MacLean" and "Wolfstone". Only last week he was in London recording a TV show with Evelynn Glennie, the profoundly deaf percussionist.

Allan MacDonald:Alan is one of three famous piping brothers from Glenuig in Moidart on the West Coast of Scotland. Alan was taught initially by P/M John MacKenzie at the Queen Victoria School in Dunblane. He won the Scottish Amateur Championship and the National Mod under 18's when he was only 15 years of age, and also won many other open competitions while still at school. After leaving school, he became a reluctant competitor. He also began to play traditional Irish music and Highland music in a similar style throughout the 1970's. He was influenced in this by "The Bothy Band", "The Chieftains", and the 70's revival in folk music. This style subsequently became very popular with the Pipe Band fraternity, particularly the "78th Fraser Highlanders" from Canada. Allan won the Gold Medal for piobaireachd at Inverness in 1984 and won 2 Clasps in succession in 1989 and 1990. He has just completed a thesis on the relationship between Gaelic Song and Piobaireachd, which he hopes will be published later this year along with a CD to go with the book.

Another first: Gordon is, I think the first piper to come onto the floor armed with, not one bagpipe, but three. One was a MacCallum pipe with a Shepherd chanter, the 2nd a Henderson, (I think) - tied in, incidentally with a sheepskin bag with no bag cover, and the third was a Spanish gaita.

the sound of Allan's pipe was very impressive, a rich enveloping drone sound with a full bass which, though dominant, did not stand out as a distinct sound on its own but was part of a well-balanced, integrated sound. His technique was excellent throughout but what particularly impressed me was the extraordinary depth of feeling and expression he put into his tunes.