Grove's dictionary of music and musicians

714 STEATHSPEY STRAUSS
already noticed. (See Reel and Scottish
Mtjsio.) Something, however, may be said in
regard to Strathspeys specially. One point of
difference between them and the Reel is in the
tempi of the two ; in the Reey=126 Maelzel,
in the StrathspeyJ= 94.
Another is thesmoothnesB
of the notes in the Reel as compared with
the broken notes of the Strathspey.
Reel. Clydeside Lasses.
^^^m^^m
It will be seen that in the above all is written
in smooth notes, while the Strathspey consists
almost entirely of broken ones.
Strathspey.
Tullochgorum.
etc
With the Reels and Strathspeys of Scotland
the name of Gow is indissolubly associated.
Niel Govir, the founder of the family, was a man
of strong original genius and admittedly the
greatest player on the fiddle of Scottish danoemusie.
In a short notice of him (published in
the Scots Magazine, 1809), Dr. M'Knight, who
had frequently heard him play, and who was
himself a famous fiddler, thus describes his style
'
of execution : His bow-hand as a suitable instrument
of his genius was uncommonly powerful
; and when the note produced by the up-bow
was often feeble and indistinct in other hands,
it was struck in his playing with a strength and
certainty which never failed to surprise and
delight skilful hearers. . . . "We may add the
effect of the sudden shout with which he frequently
accompanied his playing in the quick
tunes, and which seemed instantly to electrify
the dancers, inspiring them with new life
and energy, and rousing the spirits of the most
inanimate.'
Burns wrote some of his finest verses to Strathspeys.
Thus in ' Rothiemurehus' Rant,' the
first part of the tune is almost note for note that
of the Strathspey ; the second part has been
altered so as to make the music more vocal in
its character, the original being strictly instrumental
music, with difficulties which the voice
could not well overcome.
Another fine specimen is Green grow ' the
'
Rashes
; an early version of this tune is in the
Straloch MS. It was styled ' a daunce ' then,
as it was later, but has none of the dotted notes
so characteristic of the Strathspey. In the
Collection of Original Scotch Tunes,' published
'
by H. Playford, 1700, there are a few Reel
tunes in addition to the large number of Scotch
measures which it contains. One called ' Oronstoune
' is a very good specimen of the Reel,
whether quicker slow-. Another entitled 'The
Birks of Plunketty ' is a good Strathspey, but
has been written down in 3-4 time by some one
who did not understand the measure. Another,
'
The Cummers (Commferes) of Largo,' is styled
a Reel ; being in 9-8 time we should now term
it a Jig.
Many other specimens could be given, but the
above may suflace for our present purpose. T. L. s.
STRAUS, LuDWiG, an excellent violinplayer,
was born at Pressburg, March 28,
1835 ;
entered the Vienna Conservatorium in
1843, and remained there till the revolution
in 1848 ; was pupil of BiJhm for the violin,
and Preyer and Nottebohm for counterpoint ;
made his first appearance (at the same time
with Fraulein CsiUag) in a concert at the haU
of the Musikverein, Vienna, in June 1850.
During the next few years he made various
public appearances, besides playing in the
private concerts of several patrons of music,
especially Ober-Finanzrath Baron von Heintl,
at whose reunions he played second fiddle to
Mayseder for three years. At the Mozart
Centenary Festival in 1856 he met Liszt, and
like many other young artists benefited by his
kindness. Straus's first concert tour was made
in 1855, and extended as far as Venice and
Florence. In 1857 he made the acquaintance
of Piatti, with whom he took a second tour
through Germany and Sweden. In 1860 he
was appointed concertmeister of the theatre
(till 1862) and of the Museum - concerts in
Frankfort (till 1864), giving also quartet concerts,
and leading the subscription concerts in
the neighbouring towns. In 1 860 he first visited
England, played at the Musical Union, June 5,
etc., and at the Monday Popular Concert of
June 18. In 1861 he returned, and appeared
twice at the Philharmonic, April 29 and June
24.
In 1864 he took up his residence in England,
settling after a time in Manchester,
where he was leader of Halle's orchestra. But
he often visited London, to take either first
fiddle or viola in the Popular Concerts, or to
play solos at the Crystal Palace or the Philharmonic
; during his residence in England heplayed
at Dresden, Vienna, etc. Straus was a
member of the Queen's private band, and Solo
'
Violinist' to Queen Victoria. [In 1888 he
resigned the leadership of the Halli orchestra,
and settled altogether in London. In 1893 he
gave up all active work, being crippled with
arthritis ; he went to live at Cambridge,
where, a short time after his retirement, his
many friends and admirers presented him with
a fine Stradivarius violin. He died there
Oct. 23 (not 15th as Riemann states), 1899,
retaining to the last his wide interest in the
best music, and endearing himself to a large
circle of friends by his modesty, artistic integrity,
and splendid musicianship.] G.
STRAUSS, JoHANN, composer of dance-musio
of world-wide celebrity, born in Vienna, March