William Thomson (musicologist)
Encyclopedia
William Thomson was a Scottish
folk song collector and singer.
He is said to have been the son of Daniel Thomson, one of the king's trumpeters for Scotland
. As a boy singer, he sang at a concert
- The Feast of St. Cecillia - in 1695. Before 1722, he had settled in London
, and according to Charles Burney
had a benefit concert
that year. He appears to have become a fashionable singer, as his volume, dedicated to Caroline of Ansbach
, Princess of Wales
, contains a lengthy list of notable persons as subscribers.
He was the editor
of the first collection of Scottish folk songs published together with their melodies
. This is a folio
named Orpheus Caledonius, a collection of the best Scotch songs set to Musick, entered at Stationers' Hall, January 5, 1725. The book consists of 50 song
s with their airs, along with a simple accompaniment
. A second volume,, in two volumes octavo
, had another 50 added.
The two editions are interesting and valuable, although Sir John Hawkins described him as a tradesman
and said that his collection was injudicious and incorrect. The words of the songs were largely taken from Allan Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany, published in 1724.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
folk song collector and singer.
He is said to have been the son of Daniel Thomson, one of the king's trumpeters for Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. As a boy singer, he sang at a concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
- The Feast of St. Cecillia - in 1695. Before 1722, he had settled in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and according to Charles Burney
Charles Burney
Charles Burney FRS was an English music historian and father of authors Frances Burney and Sarah Burney.-Life and career:...
had a benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
that year. He appears to have become a fashionable singer, as his volume, dedicated to Caroline of Ansbach
Caroline of Ansbach
Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state...
, Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
, contains a lengthy list of notable persons as subscribers.
He was the editor
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
of the first collection of Scottish folk songs published together with their melodies
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
. This is a folio
Book size
The size of a book is generally measured by the height against the width of a leaf, or sometimes the height and width of its cover. A series of terms is commonly used by libraries and publishers for the general sizes of modern books, ranging from "folio" , to "quarto" and "octavo"...
named Orpheus Caledonius, a collection of the best Scotch songs set to Musick, entered at Stationers' Hall, January 5, 1725. The book consists of 50 song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s with their airs, along with a simple accompaniment
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
. A second volume,, in two volumes octavo
Octavo
Octavo to is a technical term describing the format of a book.Octavo may also refer to:* Octavo is a grimoire in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett...
, had another 50 added.
The two editions are interesting and valuable, although Sir John Hawkins described him as a tradesman
Tradesman
This article is about the skilled manual worker meaning of the term; for other uses see Tradesperson .A tradesman is a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft. Economically and socially, a tradesman's status is considered between a laborer and a professional, with a high degree of both...
and said that his collection was injudicious and incorrect. The words of the songs were largely taken from Allan Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany, published in 1724.