A Selection of Strathspeys Reels Waltzes & Irish Jigs
by Hall, John

Full title: A Selection of Strathspeys Reels Waltzes & Irish Jigs with a Bass for the Piano Forte or Violincello by John Hall Teacher of Music Ayr. NB In this Selection there is a number of Jacksons Admired Airs.

Publisher: Ayr: John Hall, 1818

Printer: Printed by John Hall

Description:

[pencil date: 11/2/1818]
There are plenty of tunes by Hall himself, not perhaps the most imaginative of composers, despite Baptie reporting 'many excellent tunes'.
The book also includes the Irish pipe tune 'Jackson's Morning Brush' - not to be unexpected in a collection published in Ayr, a short crossing from Ireland.
A varied collection, containing 'Trio' (with Violino Secondo) and 'Air by Handel' amongst the tunes. Some country dance type tunes have Violino Secondo parts, one of these clearly accompanying a piano part.

Notes:

Variations on 'Rory Dall's Port' appear as 'Highland Solo', marked with tempo, 'Slowly'. 'Miss [Katty] Trotter's Reel' by Mackintosh appears with a different bassline, marked 'Old'.
There are difficult but not repetitive piano variations on 'Oh dear what can the matter be', and 'Kinegad Slashers' by Jackson in 'Waltz Time'. Added to this is a smattering of exotica (Russian Dance) and country dances.
The basslines are in many styles, and the book is very interesting for the range of Hall's repertoire, but little leaps out as being more than competent.

Gore: H1

Biographical info: Violinist, dancing master and composer Hall (c.1788-1862) was born in Ayrshire and died in Glasgow. (Baptie) He published his quadrilles separately. Hall's manuscript music books survive in GB-Gu, drawing tunes from many sources, and sometimes setting them for two violins. (Alburger, 146-7) Hall is unnoted in SBTI, Humphries and Smith, or Kidson.

Location(s):

GB-DUcl 10490
GB-En Glen 282

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