On 2002-11-14 10:02, ChrisLaughlin wrote:
To understand why Michael is reluctant to sell many whistles, consider that his recorders are considered among the very best in the world, have a two to three year waiting list, and fetch quite a tidy sum. Why make a couple hundred dollars on a whistle when one may make quite a bit more on a recorder?
Best,
Chris
Absolutely right. Why does Michael even bother? He's actually expanded his whistle-making activities.
I haven't met him in person yet but the local celtic musos, who can't afford his whistles, say that he loves the music and supports it, and them, strongly. So there you have it.
This is a just another variation on a theme that some of us have been stressing recently. These world class instrument makers do much of what they do for the love of the music and a desire to see the traditions preserved. Recently I spent nearly half a day in the company of Richard Evans who makes world-class (Dipper-standard) Anglo concertinas. He's not even in the phone book. His waiting list is two years and getting longer all the time. He'd organised a deal to get me one of his instruments second hand to avoid the wait. He made *nothing* out of that. But he spent an afternoon playing for me, giving me rare instruments to try, digging up learning resources for me, joking and chatting about music and life in general. At one point he said, 'I'll have to put up my prices, I don't make very much.' Then he just smiled and went on playing and chatting. Anybody met a lawyer who does things this way?
