Description
Discover the world of “Pelgen Tunes – Vol. 3”, a collection that once again proves how Christoph Pelgen enriches the drone music scene with his incomparable creativity. With 80 new melodies, written between October 2016 and September 2019, this volume opens a window into Pelgen’s musical journey full of encounters, experiences and personal milestones.
Diverse musical landscapes
Pelgen, known for his versatility and commitment to the music scene, brings a wealth of compositions that testify to his impressive musical diversity. Christoph Pelgen has made his mark on the drone music scene like no other musician in recent years. As a virtuoso musician, dedicated course leader and extremely hard-working composer, he has contributed an incredible amount to the further development of the scene. Many of his compositions have become an integral part of the session repertoire and are popular throughout Europe. The collection “Pelgen Tunes – Vol. 3”, often inspired and developed in preparation for his workshops, reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the European drone music scene.
A pleasure for every instrument
Whether on the bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, violin, flute or even the accordion and double bass – the “Pelgen Tunes – Vol. 3” offer every musician and every instrument the opportunity to become part of this fascinating musical world. The pieces are deliberately open in order to encourage and inspire individual interpretations and arrangements.
Known from Sessions
The musical variety of his compositions is impressive, many of which are now part of the regular session repertoire and some of which have even become popular hits. Throughout Europe, his tunes are played with enthusiasm in many different formations. They are not only suitable for the typical drone instruments bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy, but can also be played on all conceivable instruments – from accordion to double bass.
An appeal for creativity
Christoph Pelgen encourages all musicians not only to play his compositions, but also to shape them creatively. The collection “Pelgen Tunes – Vol. 3” serves as the basis for countless musical adventures – be it at Bal Folks, in concerts or simply in the company of friends. Those who play his pieces are encouraged to find their own interpretations and arrangements. Nothing is set in stone. The notes are snapshots and the second and third parts notated in the book are often adapted to the limited range of the bagpipes.
An indispensable work for Bal Folk
Whether you are an experienced musician or simply enjoy discovering new tunes, “Pelgen Tunes – Vol. 3” is an enrichment for every music collection. Immerse yourself in the world of Christoph Pelgen and be enchanted by the variety and beauty of his compositions. A new sheet music collection for all those who enjoy good drone music and the further development of traditional music!
Foreword
This volume “Pelgen Tunes Vol. III” contains all my new compositions from October 2016 to September 2019. A time that was jam-packed with wonderful trips, encounters, concerts and courses, my wedding to Ilka, my newly discovered passion for the literature of George Sands, the book edition of the “Musikanten-Zunft”, the re-founding of the band “Café Dünya”… All these new experiences have an effect on my compositions. In a way, they are my musical diary.
I compose most of the tunes in the run-up to my workshops. The first course was in 2004 at the musicians’ meeting of the Klangwerkstatt in Markt Wald. This year I celebrated my 200th birthday. Course led. In the beginning it was exclusively bagpipe courses, but gradually my offer has expanded to include several ensemble specialties: Chalumeau, Yiddish/Klezmer, songs from the Berry and Bourbonnais, mandolin orchestra, ukulele and swing music from the 20s to 50s, Greek and Turkish songs… I love this variety and keep moving.
I notice how this changes the style of my tunes, I learn with every note I write and now I’m happy to share these melodies with you. May they give you pleasure and awaken your desire to make music together. That is my own motivation for deciding to make a living as a musician.
If you want to play my pieces, find your own interpretations and arrangements. Nothing is set in stone. The notes are snapshots and the notated second and third parts are often adapted to the limited range of the bagpipes. Play the tunes at Bal Folks, concerts, with friends at a session, wherever you like. If you would like to record one or the other tune on CD, please send me a specimen copy. You do not have to pay Gema fees for my pieces, I myself am not a member of this unfree institution and prefer to remain independent and allow my “folk music” to belong to the musicians, so that they can learn from it or simply enjoy it.
In the event that someone intends to use my melodies commercially (film music, advertising, etc.), I expect a prior request from me.
But now it’s time to pick up your instruments and start making music!
Your Christoph
Author:in
Christoph Pelgen
Born. 1967 in Wiesbaden, grew up in Rheinhessen.
First music lessons at the age of 6 (flute), followed by guitar and clarinet. Self-study of bagpipes, bombarde, mandolin…
Between community service and carpentry apprenticeship, 1989/90 in search of my own self, a common European culture and the music that fascinates me, on foot from the Southern Palatinate to Santiago de Compostela on the Way of St. James.
Then I moved to Tübingen, where I found my musical family in the group La Marmotte in the fall of 1990.
Independent musician since 1993, numerous CD productions, performances as bagpipe player at the Staatstheater Stuttgart, with the medieval rock band Adaro, with Estampie and L’ham de foc, bagpipe teacher, ensemble leader and band coach. Founder of the Wurmlinger Zupfkapelle Hilaritas and the 20s band the Croonies, passionate music collector and ukulele enthusiast.
My declared aim is to find my own means of musical expression by studying traditional melodies from every region. Music as a feeling, not as a competition – that’s what moves me.
