Please click any thumbnail image to view the full details.
There are 900 entries.

prev 10 | 6 > 7 > 8 > 9 > 10 > 11 > 12 > 13 > 14 > 15 | next 10 of 90 pages

Image	Title	Item Description
JSS0101	Drumnagarry	Skinner has adapted a previous printed version by adding another title, the composer's name, changing the bowing, adding dynamics, and a simple bass line. 'Drumnagarry', was John Strachan (c.1785-1877) b. Drumnagarrow, Glenbuchat, Aberdeenshire. He was a well-known fiddler who sometimes played with Willie Blair (q.v.). The 'Fisher's Rant' was renamed 'Drumnagarry' after Strachan. His daughter Mary married William Hardie of Methlick, grandfather of Aberdeenshire fiddler William J. Hardie (1927-1988) and great-grandfather of Edinburgh-based fiddler and publisher Alastair J. Hardie (b. Aberdeen). The composer, 'J. Hardy' was probably James (or Jamie) Hardie (1836-1916, b. nr Ellon, Aberdeenshire d. Edinburgh), a successful Edinburgh violin-maker whom Skinner often visited. Hardie, a grandson of Strachan's, was a prize-winning fiddler, and also played the double bass.
JSS0102	Note about Drumnagarry	Manuscript in Skinner's hand (see JSS0101). * Modern critics condemn the too frequent use of the triplet, but they are as sunlight to a picture the tree to lin' burnie, moreover the old composers used them lavishly see 'Lady Ann Hope' 'Stirling Castle' & Brig o' Dee'. The late John Strachan 'Drumnagarrow' is said to have had a hand in this tune 'Drummy' was a famous player and assisted the Editors (i.e. Skinner's) Father
JSS0103	The Doctor	Dr. Keith Norman Macdonald (1834-c.1906) was a Doctor of medicine. He was an enthusiastic 'leisured amateur' fiddler and collector, who published the Skye (1887), and Gesto (1895, 1898) Collections. Skinner dedicated the Harp and Claymore to him (see JSS0104). The arranger, Charles Smith, was probably the Aberdeen-born (1859) one-time organist at Ballater. He later moved to Winchester, to be assistant Cathedral organist to Dr G. B. Arnold, a founder of the Royal College of Organists in 1864. Only Smith's bass line was used in the Harp and Claymore, where the time signature is 2/4, which effectively makes each bar here into two bars. The first line of music is missing repeat signs. For another version see JSS0593.
JSS0104	Note about the Doctor	Manuscript in Skinner's hand, written across music manuscript paper. 'Note - * To Dr Keith Norman Macdonald compiler of the Famous Skye Collection 'and unwavering patron & friend of the composer'. (In a different hand) 'I am highly pleased with this Reel, A. T. (A. Troup). '_ (ca)ll it "The Doctor", presumably Skinner deciding the title of the reel (JSS0103).
JSS0105	The East Neuk o' Fife	Manuscript in Skinner's hand of 'Violin solo and Vars. [Variations] - 'The East Neuk o' Fife' = arranged by J. Scott Skinner', 'Tempo 136'. A note follows, 'To Engraver - Please add Vars. from "Scottish Violinist" in small notes minus accompaniment'.
JSS0106	The Smith's a Gallant Fireman	'Carrick's Rant or "The Smith's a gallant fireman" -'Old Air', 'Var. by J. Scott Skinner'. Subtitled 'Wha wid eat wi' ither folk fan th[e]y hae meat at hame man." To be played 'Boldly'. Below the music: 'To Engraver see note other side.' (See JSS0107.)
JSS0107	The Smith's a Gallant Fireman (words)	Typescript of the words for 'The Smith's A Gallant Fireman' by 'Harrison'. (See JSS0106). Skinner has written in the last three lines: 'Oor hearts and souls inspire man/ Let's honor pay where honor's due/ The Smith's a gallant fireman.' Following, in the corner, is 'Please approach W. Carnie and Marr Woods & Co., as Selby Wood & Co. once pub. [published] the Song - Editor'.
JSS0108	Lord John Campbell	Duncan McIntyre's strathspey Lord John Campbell had good memories for Skinner, who added a variation to it. His footnote says that this version is *as played by Archie Menzies. Edin(burgh) competition (22 players) 1856 - 1st prize - Also played by Peter Milne (his old friend) at A Skinner's (his brother Alexander's?) competition Aberdeen later first prize - Forbes Morrison (for whom Skinner wrote a reel) also won a prize.
JSS0109	Pittengardener's Rant	As Skinner notes underneath his strathspey, 'Pittengardner's (no doubt a nick-name) Rant' was written for *one of the 'Men o' the Mearns' (part of southern Aberdeenshire between the Grampian mountains and the sea) pupil of (the) late Wm (William) Skinner (Skinner's father) who played the violin with the left hand after his accident.
JSS0110	Delnabo	Delnabo, an attractive strathspey in E minor, is named after, Skinner writes, *The residence of the late Colonel Smith near 'Macpherson's cave'. Skinner suggests that his reel 'Mains of Gartly', from the Logie Collection, should follow it. He reminds the player that the third bar uses 'cross-bowing', bowing against the usual rhythm, and makes it clear that he expects the bass line to be played on the cello.

prev 10 | 6 > 7 > 8 > 9 > 10 > 11 > 12 > 13 > 14 > 15 | next 10 of 90 pages

Historic Collections · Kings College · Old Aberdeen · AB24 3SW
Tel:(0)44 1224 274312 · E-mail: scottskinner@abdn.ac.uk

Page design by IT Services Web Team