A Collection of Strathspey Reels &c.
by Duff, Archibald

Full title: A Collection of Strathspey Reels &c for the Piano Forte Violin and Violoncello Dedicated by kind permission to Lady Carnegie of Southesk by Archd. Duff Dancing Master. Entered in Stationers Hall

Publisher: Edinburgh: Archibald Duff

Printer: For the author

Date: [1794]

Description:

The GB-En copy has a subscriber list, with lots of musicians and 11 dancing masters. Many subscribers were local to Arbroath, Buckie, Brechin, Montrose, Forfar, Coupar Angus, but they also include John Alexander, surgeon, Jamaica. John Watlen bought 20 copies to sell in Edinburgh, John Anderson in Perth only two. An additional short list of subscribers has been pasted in.
Although the book claims to have been entered at Stationers' Hall, it is unlisted there.

Notes:

Besides strathspey reels, there are 2/4 hornpipes, 'John McIntosh's Maggot', a 'Rant', 'Raecheal Rea's Rant', a 'Scotch Measure', and 'A New Madrigall', Valtzes, Allemandes, some Minuets and Marches, and 'Lang Life to Neil Gow'. 'Miss Guthrie of Guthrie's Strathspey' has some variations. 'The High-Way to Linton' appears exactly in its modern form. There is one apparently Gaelic title: 'Ha! Bidager MacHomaise', coming after 'Oshian's Hall'. The basses are mostly very simple, with some definite keyboard traits: broken chords, low B flats, and occasional octaves and chords.' 'Miss Carnegie of Southesk's Hornpipe' is given in 6/4 instead of 3/2.

RISM: D3657

Gore: D15-1

Biographical info: Archibald Duff was born c.1770, perhaps in Aberdeen (Baptie). Duff was a dancing master in Montrose, and seems to have been the leading dance teacher in Aberdeen after Peacock's death in 1807, until c.1820. Archibald and his brother Charles offered various musical services in the area south of Aberdeen. (Alburger, 90) He was said to have conducted the Philharmonic Society in Aberdeen. (Glen 2, xvi) He was still alive in 1837, being listed as Professor of Music residing at Clayhills Cottage, Aberdeen in Pigot & Co's 1837 Directory.

Location(s):

GB-DRu Fleming SF.387(b)
GB-DUcl 10474
GB-En Glen 269
GB-Ep

Digitised items

This source has not been digitised.