A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs &c.
by Grant, Donald

Full title: A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs &c. for the Piano Forte Violin & Violoncello Dedicated to Mrs. Col. Grant of Grant by Donald Grant

Publisher: For the Author

Printer: Printed for the Author; Engraving of battle scene 'Drawn by J & T Brooks. Eng[rave]d. by Walker & Anderson Edinr.'

Date: [1790?]

Description:

In the GB-Gu copy, a pencil annotation suggests it was first published in 1790. The book was [re-]published in 1820/21; 'Grant's 1st. Collection' is the running title along the bottom of each page in GB-En copy.
A second collection seems never to have materialised.
Epigram: 'The Grants, M'Kenzies, and M'Kays, / Soon as Montrose, they did espy, / They turn'd and fought most manfully, / Upon the haughs of Cromdale.'
The dedication, to Mrs Col. Grant, explains that the collection was compiled "In hopes that his efforts, to add to the Stock of National Music, will have a happy tendency to meet your approbation, with that of your numerous friends and the Public, I have the honor to be, with Respect, MADAM, Your much Obliged, and most humble Servt. D. Grant.'

Notes:

This collection is typographically similar to Fraser's Airs and Melodies. Many tunes are marked Old or even Very Old; just as many are ascribed to D. Grant.
The book begins with 'The Haughs of Cromdale. a Strathspey. Old'. and 'The Hills of Cromdale. a Reel. Old.' It is unequivocally for piano: mostly employing four-beat basses in octaves.
On p.1, two tunes change register and accompaniment pattern in the second strain. 'Mrs Grant of Seabank's Strathspey' by Donald Grant (p.1) has alternating left hand octaves and triads, all marked with dashes in the first strain and the second half of the second, and alternating dyads and single notes marked 'dolce.' at the beginning of the second strain. Such variety appears nowhere else in the book! The only other bassline not made up of the simplest patterns is for 'The Bridegroom greets when the Sun gaes tee' Old.' (marked Slow), which has one chromatic moment at the beginning and some very slight rhythmic interest. These are tunes of character.

Gore: G15

Biographical info: Donald Grant (c.1760-1830s) was an Elgin fiddler-composer and dancing master; he dedicated his collection to the Castle Grant family. (HMT, Highland Collections, iii) The collection was printed for him in Edinburgh.

Location(s):

GB-A SB f7864 Gra ([182-])
GB-DUcl 10488
GB-En Glen 291 [(1820)]
GB-Gu Ca12-x.44 ([1790])
GB-Lbl h.111.(15.) ([1811?])
GB-Ob Mus. Instr. I, 102 (6) ([1811?])

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.