PEACH BLOSSOMS, THE (Bláth na Péitseoige). AKA and see "Donegal Barn Dance (The)," "Flowers of Love Schottische (The)." Irish, Barndance (cut time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCC. The tune was recorded in New York in 1935 by the famous fiddler James Morrison (1893–1947), known as “The Professor” because of his concentration on teaching, although he also recorded many times in the years between 1921 and 1936. Morrison was born in Lackagh, Drumfin, County Sligo.James Morrison Morrison recorded the tune in a medley with "Curlew Hills (The)" (AKA - "Glenbeigh Hornpipe"), a pairing much imitated on recordings and in sessions.
The group Boys of the Lough recorded the melody as "Donegal Barn Dance" on a 1987 album.
Researcher Conor Ward finds "Peach Blossoms" is based on a late 19th century light classical piece called "Flowers of Love Schottische (The)," probably composed by Edwin Boggetti (c.1861-1922).
Additional notes Source for notated version : - Paddy Ryan [Treoir].
Printed sources : - Septimus Winner (Eureka Method for the Mandolin), Boston, Oliver Ditson Co., 1891; p. 59 (as "Flowers of Love Schottische"). Kennedy (Fiddler's Tune-Book: Hornpipes & Breakdowns, Clog & Step Dances), 1998; No. 137 p. 38.
Treoir, vol. 32, No. 1, 2000, p. 22.
Recorded sources : - Columba Co. 33536-F (78 RPM), James Morrison (1935). Green Linnet SIF 1150, “The Moving Cloud" (1995). Regal Zonophone MR 1803, James Morrison (1935). Shanachie 79067, The Boys of the Lough - "Farewell and Remember Me" (1987, as "Donegal Barn Dance"). Topic Records 12T390, "James Morrison and Tom Ennis" (1980).
See also listing at : Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [1]
See/hear Marcas Ó Murchú (flute) and Oisín Mac Diarmada (fiddle) play the tune on youtube.com [2]
Hear James Morrison Band's 1935 recording on youtube.com [3] and Juneberry 78's [4] (last tune in set, preceded by "Humors of Bandon" and "Curlew Hills Polka (The)").
