Robert Mackintosh (c 1745–1807), known as 'Red Rob' on account of the colour of his hair, was a Scottish composer and violinist, active in Edinburgh at the end of the 18th century. He was known for his compositions of

strathspeys A strathspey () is a type of dance tune in time, featuring dotted rhythms (both long-short and short-long "Scotch snaps"), which in traditional playing are generally somewhat exaggerated rhythmically. Examples of strathspeys are the songs "The ...

, reels, and

jig The jig ( ga, port, gd, port-cruinn) is a form of lively folk dance in compound metre, as well as the accompanying dance tune. It is most associated with Irish music and dance. It first gained popularity in 16th-century Ireland and parts o ...

s, as well as minuets and gavottes.

Biography

Mackintosh was born in Tullymet, near Pitlochry,

Perthshire Perthshire (locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, ...

, about 1745. Around 1773, he was living in Skinner's Close, just off

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

's High Street, employed as a music teacher and playing in the orchestra of the Edinburgh Musical Society. His first collection of music was published in 1783, including 54 pieces, including 17 reels. During 1785-88 he was working in

Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...

, leading the 'Gentleman's Concerts'. His second collection was published in Edinburgh in 1793, including 73 pieces, including more reels and strathspeys. A third collection, including 117 pieces, followed in 1796. He later went to

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

where in 1804 he produced his fourth collection of a further 113 pieces. He died in London in 1807.

Works

*The Diamond Reel (Miss Steel of Norwich) (1st collection) *Honourable Mrs. Campbell of Lochnell (2nd collection) *Miss Elizabeth (Betty) Robertson (2nd collection) *Miss Ann Munro's Quickstep (2nd collection) *Miss Margaret Campbell (3rd collection) *Miss Campbell of Saddell, a pastoral (3rd collection) *Miss Robertson (3rd collection) *Miss Mariane Oliphant (3rd collection) *Honourable Mrs. E. Macleod (4th collection) *Lady Charlotte Campbell's Strathspey and Reel (4th collection) *Lady Charlotte Cadogan (4th collection) *Miss Campbell's Reel (4th collection)

Recordings

*Concerto Caledonia - Robert Mackintosh Airs, Minuets, Gavotts and Reels (2013). Pieces from MacKintosh's first collection (CD, Delphian DCD34128)Review of the Delphian CD, accessed 23 May 2013
/ref> *Mackintosh at Murthly: The Music of Robert Mackintosh. Pete Clark (2004) (CD INVER225)

References

Notes Sources

accessed 23 May 2013. *Glen, John (1895): ''The Glen collection of Scottish dance music''. Book II : strathspeys, reels, and jigs : selected from the earliest printed sources, or from the composer's works / arranged, with new accompaniments for the pianoforte, Edinburgh, republished by the Highland Music Trust, 2001 (). *''The Mackintosh Collections'', introduction by Charles Gore, Highland Music Trust (2002)

External links

Interpretations

* performed by Concerto Caledonia directed by David McGuinness {{DEFAULTSORT:Mackintosh, Robert 1745 births 1807 deaths People from Perthshire Scottish composers Scottish fiddlers British male violinists Scottish folk musicians