The Complete Repository of Original Scots Slow Strathspeys & Dances, Part 1
by Keith, Malcolm

Full title: The Complete Repository of Original Scots Slow Strathspeys & Dances (The Dances arranged as Medleys) for the Piano Forte Harp, Violin & Violoncello &c. Respectfully Dedicated to Miss Mary Gordon. By Malcom Keith. Part [1]

Publisher: Glasgow: M. Keith

Printer: Glasgow: M. Keith

Date: [1811?]

Description:

A Glasgow publication, based on Gow's Complete Repository. Both Keith volumes have an index. J. Murdoch Henderson notes that Keith's edition of Part 1 lacks three airs and contains another eight - details are given in pencil on the index of this copy.
p.39 has additional, apparently contemporary, trills written into 'The North Bridge of Edinburgh' in ink, supplying those missing in the print but present in Gow. The text is largely the same as Gow's Complete Repository, Part 1 but the engraving differs from the 3rd edition.
There are some slight differences in the note values of grace notes, articulation marks, details of expression markings, use of abbreviation '8vs' for bass octaves, titles and the use of small notes.
The rubric on p.9 about the following tunes being arranged as medleys seems to derive from Gow rather than the other way around: Keith has corrected it to 'a Strathspey (or Jig) and Reel following alternatly ...' which is what actually happens: Gow doesn't mention jigs here, although he does in vol.2.
Keith also corrects 'interrup' to 'interrupt', 'Publishers' to 'Publisher', 'Scotch' to 'Scots'. The first tune under this rubric is 'Loch Lomond Side' (in two versions), with a reference to 'See Note (on Loch Lomond) page 10.' where there is a footnote of geographical description of Loch Lomond from Pennant's A Tour in Scotland (1769) and Richardson's Guide to Loch Lomond (1798).
On p.39, 'Tail Todle' has a wrong note in the bassline. Tunes have many more attributions than in Gow, and some have more detailed names where Gow gives only initials.
There is no mention of the Gows anywhere in the prefatory material, which includes the dedication to the Duchess of Gordon, reframed as 'TO THE PUBLIC' (p.1), also omitting references to Amateurs:
'The Publisher of the following Repository of Original Scots Slow Strathspeys and Dances, would be wanting in the duty he owes to them and his Friends, were he not to embrace this Opportunity to acknowledge the very great Obligation he lies under for the kind patronage and liberal encouragement he has formerly obtained.
In presenting the present Repository to the Public, it has been the object of the Publisher to preserve them in their original native stile and simplicity free from the corruption of Whim or Caprice; the Publisher therefore humbly hopes that it will be received by his Friends and the Public:
To whom he remains, with the utmost Esteem & Gratitude,
their most Obliged and Obt. Humble Servant
M. KEITH.'

Gore: K1

Biographical info: SBTI locates Keith's Music shop at 26 Hutcheson Street in 1809, near the Trongate in Glasgow.

Location(s):

GB-En MH.56

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.