The Whistlebinkies

Recording on Greentrax, with 3 acclaimed albums (ALBANNACH, TIMBER TIMBRE; A WANTON FLING). ANNIVERSARY on Claddagh has the best of our 1980s LPs

The Whistlebinkies have built a world wide reputation over 40 years for their approach to Scottish music - letting the power and beauty of the melodies shine while achieving a rich blend of the traditional instruments. With bellows blown pipes, harp and fiddle at the core of the sound, the colours of flute, concertina and, most recently, double bass enhance the harmonies and tunes. Gaelic songs from Rhona and Scots songs from Stuart compliment the mainly instrumental programmes.
Unique new music has been composed for them by their flautist, Eddie McGuire: for example The 'Fiddlers' Farewell' for Yehudi Menuhin and the group in the 1985 Edinburgh Festival; 'Riverside' with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 1991; Epoppee Celtique with Lorient Festival Orchestra, Flint Male Voice Choir, Pipe Bands, etc (1997) and the ballet Tian Di Yuan with Harmony Ensemble for Celtic Connections 2005. This last piece was one of the results of their groundbreaking tour of China in 1991.
Rab Wallace performed Highland Pipes with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in 'Calgacus' (the first ever symphonic poem for pipes and orchestra, written in 1976) and its recording from the Proms in the Albert Hall was chosen for the BBC Music Magazine CD "The Very Best of the BBC Orchestras".
Rab and Stuart also compose for the group and all members contribute to the arrangements. The results can be heard in the albums for Greentrax Recordings; 'The Albannach', 'Timber Timbre' and 'A Wanton Fling'. The best tracks from the group's LPs of the 1970s and 1980s can be heard on the CD 'Anniversary' on the Claddagh Records label.