This is a letter written by Micho Russell to Bill Ochs in America in 1992.
Bill Ochs (1946–2016) was an American scholar, teacher, performer, and producer of Irish traditional music whose focus was on the tin whistle and uilleann pipes. Bill was deeply interested in the whistle music of Micho Russell. Between 1990 and 1993 he co-organized three U.S. tours for Micho, from which Bill produced a video documentary, “Ireland’s Whistling Ambassador,” and a CD of the same name. He conducted extensive research into the musical and historical contexts of Micho’s playing, and in 2015 he brought out “Micho Russell: Rarities & Old Favorites, 1949–1993,” a double CD of archival recordings he felt best represented Micho’s brilliance and range.
Here is a transcript of the letter, which was written by Micho on 11th October 1992.
[Page 1]
Dear Sir,
Thanks for the Tin Whistles.
I started to play the old Clark’s Tin Whistle at the age of 11 years. I am now 76 years. I don’t know how did I like the Whistle because it was all concertina playing that was going on in my place. I found it difficult to learn. An old man had two small little rusty ones smaller than the Clarkes. He was telling me the fingers to lift. He would tell me such a thing in the night I would have it lost in the morning so I found out after; it was more or less better. I am careful in what I am saying. It may be better but it is like serving your time as [apprentice] to a trade you must have a foundation or a plan. I think the scale is very important and to cover the holes proper. I think no matter how good you are you should not forget the scale. If you are playing a long time your wind pipe will work amazingly. Posture means a lot. Tommy Makem plays the whistle lovely. Also a man called Myles O Maley in the old days.
[Page 2]
All the old people that played the tin whistle that I knew were some way like philosophers or artists in their own simple way. John Holland that invented the submarine was a musician. That’s all for now. I’d like to play at your festival. If it’s possible write and let me know.
All the best.
(with God’s help) M Russell.
Sincere thanks to Margaret Vetare for sharing this document from Bill Ochs’ archives.
Bill Ochs RIP (1946-2016)
