A Collection of Strathspey Reels Gigg's &c.
by Stewart, Charles

Full title: A Collection of Strathspey Reels Gigg's &c. With a Bass for the Violoncello or Harpsichord, Dedicated by Permission to the Right Honourable Lady Mary Hay by Chas. Stewart Musician to Mr. Strange.

Publisher: Edinburgh: C. Stewart

Printer: Edinburgh : Printed for the Author

Date: [1799-1801?]

Description:

The book contains a diversity of Edinburgh dance music, in the sequence Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Minuets, Others.
On GB-Gu copy titlepage in pencil '[1799]; c.1801' and in ink 'Ann Bell 1808.' The titlepage also advertises Stewart's other collection: 'NB. A few New HORNPIPES, MINUETS & COTILIONS, by the most Esteemed Composers.'

Notes:

There are sequences (4, 4 and 3) of numbered hornpipes, 'treeble' (?), 'double' (9/8) and 'single' (3/2, notated as 6/4), followed by a sequence of minuets.
Treeble is most probably a method of triple-stepping hornpipe. (Flett). 'High Dance' (a double hornpipe danced by children between minuets, and 'Quick Step', both by Charles Stewart, have broken chord/Alberti basses.
The collection includes at least one uncredited Robert Mackintosh tune, with a slightly different bass from Mackintosh's version, and 'The Fox By Mr. Mc.Intosh Junr.'

RISM: S6364

Gore: S11-1

Biographical info: Fiddler and composer Charles Stewart was possibly the musician in Leith Wynd (Edinburgh), 1794-96, and definitely in Todrick's Wynd, 1800-01. Stewart was Edinburgh dancing teacher David Strange's assistant in 1802, and by the end of 1803 was describing himself as Strange's successor. Stewart taught classes, gave an annual ball, and by 1805 advertised his 'First Book of Minuets, High Dances, Cottillions, etc, etc', as used by his late master, Mr Strange. Stewart was leader and repetiteur of Edinburgh's Theatre Royal Orchestra. He suffered ill-health from c.1811 (a benefit ball was held in 1812) and died in 1818. DOB unknown. See Glen 2, xvii-xviii.

Location(s):

GB-A Hend inst Ste s
GB-DUcl 10456
GB-En Glen 287(1)
GB-Ep (info from RISM)
GB-Gu Ca12-x.41
GB-P Be51

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.