Cuming Manuscript
Title: For the Violin / Patrick Cuming his Book 1723
Location: GB-En
Reference: MS 1667
RISM: 806611722
Date: 1723 - 1724
Size: Oblong octavo (10.5x15.5 cm)
Extent: 38 folios
Notes:
Manuscript of pieces for solo violin. It was once in the collection of the English musicologist Frank Kidson (1855-1926), whose signature is inscribed on f. ii. The volume was sold to the NLS by his niece and collaborator Ethel Kidson (i.e. Emma Mary Kidson) in 1936.
The volume remains in very good condition and has been paginated. Inscribed on the front end paper is the title “For the Violin” and on f. i “Patrick Cuming his Book / Edinburgh 1723”. On the following page is written “Thomas Cuming His Book the Grace of”, possibly a brother or other relative, and on the back fly leaf is inscribed “Patrick Cuming his Book / For the Violin 1724 / Musick”.
The 52 pieces are all set for solo violin, in the same neat and consistent hand, probably that of a professional or music tutor – perhaps Patrick and Thomas were his students. Most of the pieces are untitled, though many of these have been identified in the index given here. The contents are mostly settings of Scots tunes, some with variations, alongside a few minuets, and selections of music by Corelli. The 1st violin part of the Sarabanda from Corelli’s Trio Sonata op 4 no 3 (p. 20) contains a dense written-out embellishment of the type normally found in realisations Corelli’s solo sonatas.
Links: NLS Catalogue