Italian Style

In the late 18th and early 19th, paratext in Scottish song and dance collections quite often object to “Italian” influences in music.  There’s the perception that “Italian” is synonymous with fussy, arty, classical music and not quite what the compilers expected in a Scottish music anthology. Things were different in earlier days.  Here’s Francis Barsanti (Francesco) circa 1742, in A Collection of Old Scots Tunes, With the Bass for Violoncello or harpsichord. Set and most humbly Dedicated to the Right Honourable The Lady Erskine.  (Sadly, his successors would probably have dismissed it as just another Italianate, Baroque collection!)

PREFACE

Having discovered, in several ancient Scots tunes, an elegance and variety of harmony equal to the compositions of the most celebrated masters of those times; at the desire of several gentlemen of taste, I applied myself to do justice to those ancient compositions, by a proper and natural bass to each tune, with the strictest regard to the tune itself, and without any alteration of the tune to accommodate it to the bass.  As I flatter myself that this attempt to revive the taste of our ancestors will not be disagreeable, I have submitted the same to the judgment of the Publick, that in case this should have the good fortune to please, I may be encouraged to further attempts of the same kind.

See the music

3 thoughts on “Italian Style

  1. Hallo Karen,

    This reply is about you compiling a complete listing of Gow’s publications. (Other link wasnt working)

    Have an expanding list from umpteen sources, but include some listings from Mike Bacchus – unpublished, so maybe not for circulation.

    Mike has been working on the Atholl Collection at Perth, re-cataloguing the entries.

    I’ve had no contact with him, but got a preview of some of his information – so, probably would be correct to contact him yourself to discuss.

    My website for past musical activities was nigelsjelks.co.uk

    Nigel Jelks, musician, also collector and researcher, Kirriemuir.

    Ngl

    • Thanks for your reply, Nigel. I’m afraid I’m not seconded to this project any more, but if you contact info@hms.scot then the project leader will receive your communication. (I’ll also forward it.) We were in contact with Mr Bacchus, a year or two ago.

  2. Pingback: Italian Style | Bass Culture in Scottish musical traditions – Claimed From Stationers' Hall

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