A Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs for the Voice. With Introductory & Concluding Symphonies & Accompaniments for the Piano Forte, Violin & Violoncello by Pleyel Rozeluch & Haydn With Select & Characteristic Verses both Scottish and English adap

[THOMSON, George] [1757-1851] (Editor).

Published by London: Printed & Sold by T.Preston.Sold also by G.Thomson.Edinburgh, [1803-03-03-05]., 1803

Description:

4 Volumes. folio. engraved frontis. in each vol. by Paton and Joseph Thomson after W.Hamilton, D.Allan, the portrait of Burns in Vol. IV after A.Nasmyth. engraved titles with vignettes. alternating leaves of engraved music & letterpress. pp. {2]loose advert. leaf, 4, 50, [2]index; [2]advert leaf, 51-100, [2]index; [2]advert leaf, 101-150, [2]index; [2]advert leaf, 151-200, [7]index & glossary of Scottish words. 198 pages of engraved music, numbered 1-98, 101-200. lacking engraved music pp. 99-100 (never bound in). 2-line cancel on p. 98, Vol. II. contemporary half morocco over marbled bds. (rubbed, offsetting throughout, occasional light foxing). each volume signed on title by the editor. book label of George Haywood, Rotherham & signature of Elizabeth Abney (?) in each vol. "Thomson was an enthusiastic amateur musician. He was one of the directors of the first Edinburgh musical festival (1815). He played the violin, and took an active part in the Edinburgh St. Cecilia concerts of his day. It was from hearing Tenducci's rendering of Scottish songs at these concerts that he conceived the idea of making a collection of national airs. In the end he issued three separate (folio) collections: the Scottish in 6 vols. (1793-1841); the Welsh in 3 vols. (1809-1814); and the Irish in 2 vols. (1814-1816). .Thomson's plan in regard to the music was original and bold. Before his time there were no introductory or concluding symphonies to the airs he collected, and the accompaniments were indicated by the uncertain system of 'figured bass'. He resolved to supply both deficiencies, and had his symphonies and accompaniments written in turn by Pleyel, Kozeluch, Haydn, Beethoven, Weber, Hummel, and Bishop, to whom he paid large sums. It was at his instigation that Bishop set Burns's 'Jolly Beggars'. He found many of the old airs associated with objectionable words, and with the view of procuring new words, he corresponded with Burns, Scott, Hogg, Moore, Byron, Campbell, Joanna Baillie, and others. Burns began to write for him in 1792, and continued till his death in 1796, the collections from first to last containing about 120 of his songs." (DCB) "In this work many of the most celebrated effusions of Burns were first printed." (Lowndes, which cites 5 Vols., 1799-1818). cfGibson, The Bibliography of Robert Burns, p. 115. Seller Inventory # MHOSe[TH21

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Select Collection of Original Scottish ...
Publisher: London: Printed & Sold by T.Preston.Sold also by G.Thomson.Edinburgh, [1803-03-03-05].
Publication Date: 1803
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Signed: Signed by Author(s)