Album Summary: "Niel Gow's" A Collection of Strathspey Reels With a Bass for the Violoncello or Harpsichord (1784) is the first major imprint of the Gow family's brand-name (ie. "Niel"). It contains 78 Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs and Variation Sets, all with un-figured bass, most probably arranged by Niel's entrepreneurial son, Nathaniel. It was an instant hit in the ball-rooms, clubs and parlours of the leisured classes, and was soon followed by several expanded editions. In fact, it launched a minor publishing empire whose collections defined Scottish fiddle and dance music for several generations. This ScotMus.com album is a full reprint of the legendary first edition of 1784.
Title Page Facsimile:
By Kind Permission of Edinburgh Central Music Library
Semi-Diplomatic Transcription:
A
Collection
of
Strathspey Reels
With a Bass
for the
Violoncello or Harpsichord
Most humbly Dedicated to her Grace
The Dutchess of Athole
By Niel Gow at Dunkeld
Edinburgh Printed for the Author; to be had of N: Stewart
Corrie & Sutherland & R: Bremner Edin.r W: Napier
London & J: Aird Glasgow. & at the other music
Shops in Town & Country
Corrie & Sutherland & R: Bremner Edin.r W: Napier
London & J: Aird Glasgow. & at the other music
Shops in Town & Country
Butterworth Scrip.t
Johnson Sculp.t