A Collection of entirely original Strathspey Reels
by Ladies, resident in a remote part of the Highlands of Scotland

Full title: A Collection of entirely original Strathspey Reels, Marches, Quick Steps &c. for the Piano-Forte, Violin, German Flute &c. &c. by Ladies resident in a remote part of the Highlands of Scotland NB. Corrected by Nath. Gow.

Publisher: Edinburgh: Gow & Shepherd

Date: [1796]

Description:

GB-Gm has two volumes bound together. The first volume also includes as part of the page sequence, 'Neil Gow's Strathspey and Mrs Dundas McQueen's Reel (Danced as a Medley at the Assemblys and Private Balls in EDINBURGH)' also 'Miss Maule of Panmure's Much admired Reel set for the PIANO FORTE.' This occupies three pages - there are also two copies of a two-page version of this with slightly differing first pages (watermark from 1794) included in GB-DUcl 10438.
The repertoire is quite varied: mostly simple tunes, some with substantial variations, in different styles. Besides strathspeys, jigs and marches, there are some character pieces.
Geographical references include Moray, Kilvarock, Cromarty, Metheven, Knockie, Nairnshire, and Melford (mostly east of Inverness).
Mike Bacchus in his catalogue of the GB-P Atholl Collection notes that "There are two editions of this Collection with 24 and 13 pages respectively. The contents of the 24 page issue are constant but that of the 13 page issue varies."

Notes:

The collection has simple basslines, mostly single lines with occasional chords, some Alberti basses and broken chords, and some pianistic high left-hand writing.
There are some variation sets towards the end, and paired Marches & Quick Steps for Kilravock Volunteers, 73rd Regiment, and Major Macbean 6th Regiment. Quicksteps are in common time and jig time.

RISM: G3225

Gore: L1

Link: British Library

Biographical info: These anonymous ladies in the 'remote' Highlands would appear to have had connections both with Edinburgh's ball-attending society, and with military families. Possibly be the Misses White, or a Miss White and a Miss Brocky, possibly of Morayshire (Gore, GB-A); or 'the Misses Whyte' (Kidson's pencil note in the copy now held by GB-Gm).

Location(s):

GB-A Lib R f78155(41) Whi c
GB-A Hend inst Gow N e (1796)
GB-Cu MRA.340.75.3 (1796)
GB-Cu MRA.340.75.71 ([1796?])
GB-DUcl 7070
GB-En Glen 412 (listed as Gow, Nathaniel)
GB-En E.l.111 (North Bridge Street; signed by John Sturrock, 1800)
GB-Eu Scott.Stud.Lib
GB-Gm M8780 / 786.45
GB-Gu Ca12-y.31 ([1805?])
GB-Lbl g.230.bb.(5.). (Imperfect, cropped)
GB-Lbl h.830.j.(1.)
GB-P Af19

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.