I was privileged to have been taught by him for 13 years. I have a cassette in Donegal of a recital he did in 1987 at the BBC Concert Hall. My father recorded it when it was on the radio, and said it was the best concert he had ever been to.
Donald MacPherson was not only the greatest piper of his day but will go down in history as the greatest piper of all time! I had the privilege of being taught the pipes under his brother, Ian MacPherson, who resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Donald and wife, Gwyn, came to the States around 1993-;94 to visit Ian. While Donald was in Oklahoma, he played his pipes for then Governor David Walters and wife, Rhonda, in the State Capitol rotunda in Oklahoma City. Following his performance, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant. Governor Walters presented Donald with an official State "Proclamation". Donald told me, sometime later, that he had the Proclamation framed and hung it on his wall at his home 'Balbeggie Cottage' in Perth, Scotland. Not only was Donald an acclaimed piper, he was also a very humble gentleman.
I was at this performance. He also played the march, "The Royal Scottish Pipers Society" and all four parts of his strathspey, "Mrs. Donald MacPherson." It was cool.
Someone calls his D "flat?" It's some cents sharp, in common with mid 20th century intonation standards. Search my name for several Scots Guards 1950 recording excerpts.
