A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels & Jigs
by Porteous, James

Full title: A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels & Jigs, Respectfully Dedicated to Lady Jardine of Applegarth; Arranged for the Piano Forte, Violin & violoncello by James Porteous

Publisher: Edinburgh

Printer: Printed for J. Sutherland

Date: 1821

Description:

GB-A copy includes a pencil note by J. Murdoch Henderson: 'New edition, with several of the titles changed. 1821.'
GB-En copy has a typed index.
The dedication is dated Meinfoot [near Ecclefechan] 1821.
Quirky titles for some tunes suggest theatratical connections: 'She stoops to conquer', 'Rule a Wife & have a Wife', 'All the World's a Stage'.

Notes:

This collection has lively single note basslines with plenty of dyads. There is a lot of repetition in the tunes, and a fondness for triplets, but there are some good tunes, and interesting if occasionally unorthodox basslines.
'The Auld Toon o' Edinbrugh' [sic] with Variations' has some piano fingering. 'Glen Stewart' (p.14) seems to be full of typos. The basses have too much character to be entirely incompetent: are they an example of 'incorrect' practice that may have been more widespread?
'The Fair Methodist' bassline goes down to low A.

Gore: P9

Biographical info: Porteous (c.1762-1847) was a violinist from Ecclefechan; he died in Annan. He composed all the music he published, apart from one piece by his son William. (Baptie)

Location(s):

GB-A SB f787 Por
GB-DUcl 10511
GB-En Glen 370, MH.97
GB-Lbl g.934.gg.(2.)

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.