A Collection of New Highland Strathspey Reels
by Anderson, John

Full title: A Collection of New Highland Strathspey Reels For the Violin or German Flute With an Harpsichord & Violoncello Bass Composed by John Anderson.

Publisher: Edinburgh: Printed for the Author and Sold by Johnson & Co., Lawn Market, and J. Bryson Music Sellers

Printer: Johnson & Co., Lawn Market

Date: [179-?]

Description:

Although Gore says 1790, this book comes after Anderson's Selection, as the Selection is mentioned on the titlepage.

Notes:

Very simple, but good tunes. The repertoire is basically reels, strathspeys and jigs. Wide-ranging geographical references include Dumfries, the Clyde, Dalswinton, Montrose, Aberdeen, Culduthol, but the first tune is 'Hoddom Castle', near Lockerbie. (This was the home of antiquary Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, who had inherited it from an uncle.) There are occasional fiddle chords in tunes, and some octaves (ossias?). Note the curious use of leading notes and unexpected (some on-beat) dissonances. All pieces have simple four-beat basslines, which have a measure of independent melodic life despite their simplicity. 'Hoddom Castle', marked Slow, has a unison section with the tune.

Gore: A7-1

Link: British Library

Biographical info: Anderson lived 1737-1808, and died in Inverness (Baptie), but he moved round Scotland during his career. His first book, A Selection of the most Approved Highland Strathspeys was published in Edinburgh in 1789, dedicated to the Musical Society of Greenock. Another edition may have been later published in Perth (Alburger, 145), although this has not been verified. Anderson's Pocket Companion was published in Perth in 1795. Anderson's Budgets, published later in Edinburgh, postdate his death in Inverness as given by Baptie.

Location(s):

GB-A
GB-En Mus E.1.38
GB-Lbl g.229.b(2)
GB-P Be49

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