Annotation:Duchess of Gordon (2) (The)
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DUCHESS OF GORDON [2], THE. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB (Athole, McGlashan, Skye): AABB' (Kerr). Composed by Donald Dow (1732-1783), first appearing in his c. 1775 collection (p. 1). Dow's name is sometimes given as Daniel. In the opinion of Mr. Troup of Ballater (as cited by David Baptie in Musical Scotland, Past and Present, 1894, p. 46) "The Duchess of Gordon" is among the dozen or so of Dow's best compositions. The Gows set the tune in the key of 'E' major and slightly altered the second strain (for which see "Duchess of Gordon (3) (The)"). See also some similarities in "Double Kisses" and "Tartan Plaid (2)," particularly in the first strain.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 393. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 2; No. 137, p. 17. MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; p. 66. McGlashan (A Collection of Reels), c. 1786; pp. 18-19 (appears as "The Dutches of Gordon's Reel"). Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; p. 106.
Recorded sources: