Entries tagged with orkney

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"As the accordion is much used in Orkney ..."

Almost done typing 276 newspaper refs to travelling German accordion performer, tuner and repairer in mid&late 19thC Scotland. Just typed reports of performances in Orkney in 1865 including this one in Holm. Analysis and academic journal paper to follow.

Part of a newspaper page. The report text is "HOLM / MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT - Herr J.G. Yung, the eminent accordionist, gave a concert in the Subscription School, Holm, on the evening of Friday week. The attendance was good, considering the season of the year. Captain E. Scollay and lady, and many other respectable persons belonging to the parish, being present. Herr Yung is a great master of the accordion. He played some beautiful German airs, and some of the choicest pieces of Scotch music, with exquisite taste, and gave great satisfaction to all who were present. As the accordion is much used in Orkney, all who have a taste for that elegant instrument should do themselves the pleasure of hearing Herr Yung, who, as a performer on the accordion, excels all we have ever seen handle the instrument."

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Book 23 of 2023: The Technicolor Time Machine by Harry Harrison

Just read and greatly enjoyed this 1967 sci-fi / historical fiction book. It sees a bunch of movie makers team up with a scientist with a time machine, and go back to Viking era Orkney Islands, to fill a Viking movie, with real historical locations, and real life historical Vikings. The concept is absolutely bonkers. The execution is brilliant. I laughed so much throughout. The historian in me also adored how they played with the recorded history, and the role of historical sagas recurring through the story. It's just a blast. If you like time travelling stories with a comic twist check this one out. Utterly bonkers. I'm so glad I read it.

This shows a Viking era long boat, with bright red and green sails, along with a bunch of movie makers (at least director and cameraman) perched in the boat, filming

This shows a Viking era long boat, with bright red and green sails, along with a bunch of movie makers (at least director and cameraman) perched in the boat, filming

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Next reading: fiction + non fiction

I still have a few books on the go to finish off, but here are two more that I've just loaded onto my Kindle. Harry Harrison's sci-fi tale of Hollywood film makers filming real Vikings in the 11th century Orkney Islands. And Michael Troughton's biography of his dad. Which I have had in print for years, bought direct from Michael, but haven't been able to read much before. Now I have it on my Kindle, so should make better progress.