Biography:Smollet Holden
Smollet Holden
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| Given name: | Smollet |
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| Family name: | Holden |
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| Year of birth: | |
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| Profile: | Collector, Composer, Editor, Engraver, Musician, Publisher |
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Biographical notes
The composer, instrument maker, and publisher Smollet Holden arrived in Ireland as a musician with the British military sometime around the turn of the century. Frank Kidson's British Music Publishers, Printers and Engravers gives the following information:
Holden Smollet. Dr. Petrie in the preface to his " Ancient Music of Ireland," 1855, mentions Smollet Holden, and refers to him as " the most eminent British composer of military music in his time." He was the father of Dr. Francis Holden, himself a musician and a collector of Irish folk melody. Smollet Holden kept a music shop at 26, Parliament Street, sometime towards the end of the eighteenth century. From here he issued sheet music and several very valuable Collections of Irish and other national melodies. He was also a Freemason and published a small folio, selection of Masonic Songs. The following are some of his publications.
C. 1795 A Selection of Masonic Songs, arranged with choruses in parts, and respectfully dedicated to the brothers of the most honourable fraternity of free and accepted Masons, by Br. S. Holden, .. Dublin, published by S. Holden, at his music warehouse. Parliament St., 8vo. (Wighton Collection.)
A Collection of Original Welsh Music, for the harp, pianoforte, flute, or violin, and dedicated to the Prince of Wales. . Dublin, published by S. Holden, 26, Parliament Street, folio. (Wighton Collection)
C. 1800 The Child's wish for May (sheet song, same imprint). Off she goes, the variations by a young lady .... (same imprint).
C 1804-6 A Collection of Old Established Irish Slow and Quick Tunes, arranged for the harp, pianoforte, or bagpipe selected and published by S Holden, Parliament Street, Dublin, 2 vols., folio. (A very interesting and valuable gathering of Irish music, much of which up to then unprinted.)
A Collection of [24] Quick and Slow Marches, Troops, etc., for the pianoforte or harpsichord, folio.
A Periodical Collection of Irish Melodies, folio.