John Murdoch Henderson, 1902 - 1972, of Aberdeen, school teacher, collector of Scottish music (transcriber)

Henry Playford (1657 - c 1707) Henry Playford (1657 - c 1707), carried on a music publishing business in London with his father, John Playford (1623 - 1686), author of the highly regarded and much-re-printed The Dancing Master (London: Playford, 1651). His best known works include Henry Purcell's Pastoral elegy on the death of Mr John Playford, with words by Nahum Tate (1687); and his own A Collection of Original Scotch-Tunes, (full of the Highland Humors), for the violin being the first of this kind yet printed: Most of them being in the compass of the flute (London: Henry Playford, 1700), one of the earliest printed collections of Scottish music, widely circulated at the time, but of which few known copies are now extant. In 1688 he married Ann Baker (1761 - 1743), daughter of Thomas Baker of Oxford, and had a daughter, Anne Playford (1694 - 1739), who married Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald, 1728/29.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Collection of Original Scotch Tunes (full of the Highland Humours), for the Violin, 1700, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

A. Munro (?fl 1732) Munro's A Collection of the Best Scots Tunes. Fited to the German Flute. With several divisions and variations was published in Paris in 1732.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Collection of the Best Scots Tunes. Fited to the German Flute. With several divisions and variations, 1732, 1951 (transcript of 18th century printed music sheet), (University of Aberdeen)

Joshua Campbell (fl c 1762 - c 1800) Joshua Campbell (fl c 1762 - c 1800) was a musician and music teacher in Glasgow. He is known to have published 3 music collections, A collection of favourite tunes with new variations: adapted for the violin and German-flute with a bass for the violoncello and thorough-bass for the harpsichord (Glasgow: Printed for the author, and sold at all the music shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Ready sculpt., [ca. 1785]); A collection of the newest and best reels and minuets: with improvements adapted for the violin or German flute, with a bass for the violoncello or harpsichord (Glasgow: J. Aird, ?1788); and A collection of new reels and Highland strathspeys : with a bass for the violoncello or harpsichord (Glasgow: J. Campbell, ?1786). This last work was re-printed c 1795, as A Collection of new Reels and highland Strathspeys, with a bass for the violoncello or harpsichord, by J. Campbell, a number of which are his own compositions (Glasgow: Printed for the Author, [1795?]), and again, c 1800, when it appeared as A Collection of New Reels & Highland Strathspeys with a Bass for the Violoncello or Harpsichord. Book ist. The Bass's of this Collection are corrected by P. Urbani (Edinburgh: Urbani & Liston, [1800?]).

For further details see The Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music (Highland Music Trust, 2001).

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Collection of Favourite Tunes with New Variations for Violin and German Flute, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Francesco Barsanti (1690 - 1772) Francesco Barsanti (1690 - 1772) is believed to have studied law in Italy, before moving to England, where he became well known for his prodigious output of printed music.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Collection of Old Scots Tunes, with the Bass for Violoncello or Harpsichord, etc., 1742, 1951 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Willaim Thomson (c 1684 - c 1760) William Thomson (c1684 - c1760), Scottish singer and folk song collector, is thought to have been born in Edinburgh, where his father was one of the king's trumpeters for Scotland. He settled in London and in 1725 published Orpheus Caledonius, or a Collection of the best Scotch Songs set to Music . Many of the 50 Scottish folksongs contained in his collection were taken from Allan Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany (1723). In 1733 an expanded second edition was published, in 2 volumes, containing 100 songs, with improvements in the harmonisation of the original 50.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Orpheus Caledonius, or a collection of the best Scotch Songs set to Musick, 1725, 1951 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

John Watts (fl 18th c) John Watts, music publisher, was in business in London in the early eighteenth century. His published works include The Musical miscellany: being a collection of choice songs, set to the violin and flute / by the most eminent masters, 6 vols. (London: John Watts, 1729 - 1731); Patie and Peggy: or the Fair Foundling, A Scotch Ballad Opera As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's Sevants (London: J. Watts, 1730); and Joseph Mitchell, The Highland Fair; or Union of the Clans. An Opera As it is Perform'd at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's Servants. Written by Mr Mitchell (London: J. Watts, 1731). No further details of his life and work have been established.

J. Walsh (fl 1695 - 1736) London publishers, J. Walsh and J. Hare produced a large volume of printed music throughout the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century, including several collections of dance music. They became noted for their annual collections of dance music, from c 1710, with publication of Nathaniel Kynaston's, Twenty Four New Country Dances for the Year 1711. With proper new Tunes, & Figures, or Directions to each Dance ... Dedicated to ... Henry Ld. Newport ... by ... N. Kynaston, etc (London: Printed for J. Walsh and P. Randall & J. Hare, [1710]); and in 1718 followed these with The Compleat Country Dancing-Master: containing Great Variety of Dances, both Old and New; particularly these perform'd at the several Masquerades: Together with all the Choicest ... Country-Dances ... With their Proper Tunes, and Figures ... to each Dance: The Tunes fitted to the Violin, or Haut-Boy, and most of 'em within the Compass of the Flute ... more correct than the former Editions; printed in the London Capital Character, etc (London: H. Meere, for J. Walsh and J. Hare, 1718; 2nd edn. 1719). Walsh's six-volume The British Musical Miscellany, or the Delightful Grove. Being a Collection of Celebrated English and Scotch Songs. By the Best Masters. Set for the Violin, German Flute, the Common Flute and Harpsichord was published, 1734 - 1736 (London: Printed for ... I. Walsh, [1734-6]).

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Musical miscellany: 118 Pianoforte Pieces, including the Scottish Airs in J Watts' Musical Miscellany and J. Walsh's Musical Miscellany, 1729 - 1736, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Allan Ramsay (1686 - 1758) Allan Ramsay was born in Leadhills, Lanarkshire in 1685. He was apprenticed as a wigmaker in Edinburgh c 1704, on completion of which (1709), he opened his own shop in the Grassmarket area of the city.

He became increasingly involved in Edinburgh intellectual and literary circles from 1710, and in 1712 co-founded the Easy Club, a society with strong Jacobite leanings which met to discuss literature and politics. Many of Ramsay's early poems received their first public airing when read aloud to club members, and by 1720 he had given up his wig-making business and set up as a bookseller. In 1725 he moved to premises in the High Street where he opened what is generally regarded as Britain's first circulating library.

By this time he had become a successful poet, publishing his first collection of verse in 1721 and his second in 1728. He wrote in both Scots and English but with markedly more success in the former, which did much to initiate the eighteenth century revival of Scottish vernacular poetry - later continued by Fergusson and Burns.

He was also lauded for popularising works from the earlier Scottish literary tradition: As editor of The Evergreen (1724), he anthologised the work of long neglected poets including Dunbar and Henryson; and with his The Tea table miscellany, 5 volumes, (Edinburgh: 1724-37) he resurrected many traditional songs and ballads. Though he has been criticised for bowdlerising and altering the texts of many these poems and songs, the popular appeal of his publications is undisputed, The Tea table miscellany being re-printed more than 17 times before the end of the eighteenth century, and re-appearing in revised forms throughout the nineteenth.

In 1736 Ramsay opened the short-lived and financially-disastrous, New Theatre in Carruber's Close, Edinburgh. After its closure in 1837, he retired to his house on the Castlehill, Edinburgh, where he remained until his death in 1758.

Ramsay frequently spent time at the home of his friends the Forbes of Newhall, and Newhall House has been identified as the setting of his greatest triumph, the pastoral comedy The Gentle shepherd (1725). A huge popular success, it also received extravagant praise from, amongst others, Fergusson, Burns and James Boswell who spoke of its real picture of manners "and beautiful rural imagery":

This information has been compiled from the Slainte web site's ( http://www.slainte.org.uk ) Scottish Authors pages, an online version of Discovering Scottish writers, edited by Alan Reid and Brian D. Osborne, (Edinburgh: Scottish Library Association and Scottish Cultural Press, c1997).

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley&Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley&Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Music for Allan Ramsay's collection of Scots songs, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed work), (University of Aberdeen)

Adam Craig (fl 1695) Adam Craig is believed to have been living in Edinburgh in 1695. His A Collection of the Choicest Scots Tunes Adapted for the Harpsicord or Spinnet and within the Compass of the Voice Violin or German Flute, etc. was published there in 1730. No further details of his life and works established.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Collection of the Choicest Scots Tunes, Adapted for the Harpsicord or Spinnet and within the compass of the Voice Violin or German Flute, 1730, 1951 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

John Watts (fl 18th c) John Watts, music publisher, was in business in London in the early eighteenth century. His published works include The Musical miscellany: being a collection of choice songs, set to the violin and flute / by the most eminent masters, 6 vols. (London: John Watts, 1729 - 1731); Patie and Peggy: or the Fair Foundling, A Scotch Ballad Opera As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's Servants (London: J. Watts, 1730); and Joseph Mitchell, The Highland Fair; or Union of the Clans. An Opera As it is Perform'd at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's Servants. Written by Mr Mitchell (London: J. Watts, 1731). No further details of his life and work have been established.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Airs from Patie and Peggy: or the Fair Foundling, A Scotch Ballad Opera and The Highland Fair: or Union of the Clans, An Opera, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Robert Bremner (1713 - 1789) Robert Bremner ran a successful music publishing business in Edinburgh, c 1754 - 1762, and London, 1762 - 1891, which was taken over by Preston and Son after his death. He gained repute for his Instructions for the Guitar: With a collection of airs, songs, and duets, fitted for that instrument / by Robert Bremner (Edinburgh: Robert Bremner, 1759), one of the earliest serious tutors written and published for the guitar. Other works include The rudiments of music : A short and easy treatise on that subject, 8 vols. (Edinburgh : Bremner, 1756) and reprints of the fiddle music of William McGibbon. He also supplied music for the Edinburgh Musical Society and in 1761 published the Six Overtures op.1 of Lord Kelly.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Instructions for the guitar and collection of compositions arranged for guitar, 1759, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Burk Thumoth (fl 1745 - 1746) Burk Thumoth is best known for his collections of Twelve Scotch, and twelve Irish Airs with Variations: Set for the German Flute Violin or Harpsichord (London: Printed for John Simpson, [1745]), and Twelve English and twelve Irish Airs with Variations: Set for the German Flute, Violin or Harpsichord. Book the second (London: Printed for J. Simpson ... ?1746), later published together, as Forty Eight English, Irish and Scotch Airs with Variations, set for the German Flute, Violin, or Harpsichord (London: Printed for S. A. and P. Thompson, [?1785]). He also compiled Six Solos for a German Flute, Violin or Harpsichord ... The Three last by Sig. Canaby (London: J. Tyther, [1746]).

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the Forty-eight airs - Scots, Irish, and English - with instrumental variations on them, [1742 - 1745], 1951 (transcript of 18th century printed music score), (University of Aberdeen)

Henry Roberts (fl c 1737 - c 1762) The first edition of Henry Roberts' (fl c 1737 - c 1762) Calliope or English harmony : a collection of the most celebrated English and Scots songs, neatly engrav'd and embelish'd with designs adapted to the subject of each song taken from the compositions of the best masters, in the most correct manner with the thorough bass and transpositions for the flute proper for all teachers, scholars, and lovers of musick; printed on a fine paper, on each side which renders the undertaking more compleat than any thing of the kind ever publish'd (London: Engraved by H. Roberts: Printed for J. Simpson, 1737 - 1739) was published in London, 1737 - 1739. A second edition appears to have been published by Roberts, 1746 - 1747; and another, by Longman and Broderip, London, c 1785.

John Murdoch Henderson (1902 - 1972) John Murdoch Henderson, son of Charles Henderson, farmer, and Mary Jane Murdoch, was born in New Deer on 31 March 1902, and graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1926. He taught for several years in the south of Scotland, before returning to Aberdeen where he taught science and mathematics at Frederick Street, and latterly, Ruthrieston School. A gifted composer, and an authority on Scottish fiddle music, he wrote The Flowers of Scottish Melody: A First Companion to the Scottish Violinist and Pianist (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1935), and arranged J. Scott Skinner's The Scottish Music Maker Skinner: a choice selection of strathspeys, Scots reels, schottisches, double jigs, waltz tunes, song airs, pastorals, marches, quicksteps, hornpipes ... arranged for the violin (Glasgow: Bayley & Ferguson, 1957). He was also a prolific collector of music for the fiddle and pipes, and during his life made several significant manuscript deposits to the University of Aberdeen.

His printed music collection was bequeathed to the National Library of Scotland in 1975/6, and duplicates from this collection transferred to Aberdeen University, where they form the University's John Murdoch Henderson Collection. A further collection of his papers was deposited more recently in the North East Folklore Archive, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, by his family. See Related Units of Description for further details.

From the guide to the A Selection [of music], Including All the Scots Airs from H. Roberts' Calliope, 1952 (transcript of 18th century printed music sheet), (University of Aberdeen)