[212] The amateurs who took the lead as choristers were Gilbert
Innes, Esq. of Stow; Alexander Wight, Esq., advocate; Mr John Hutton,
papermaker; Mr John Russel, W.S.; and Mr George Thomson. As an
instrumentalist, we could boast of our countryman the Earl of Kelly,
who also composed six overtures for an orchestra, one of which I heard
played in the hall, himself leading the band.
[213] See a different account of this custom, p. 147.
[214] [‘John M. Giornovicki, commonly known in Britain under the name
of Jarnowick, was a native of Palermo. About 1770 he went to Paris,
where he performed a concerto of his famous master Lolli, but did not
succeed. He then played one of his own concertos, that in A major, and
became quite the fashion. The style of Giornovicki was highly elegant
and finished, his intonation perfect, and his taste pure. The late
Domenico Dragonetti, one of the best judges in Europe, told me that
Giornovicki was the most elegant and graceful violin-player he had ever
heard before Paganini, but that he wanted power. He seems to have been
a dissipated and passionate man; a good swordsman too, as was common in
those days. One day, in a dispute, he struck the Chevalier St George,
then one of the greatest violin-players and best swordsmen in Europe.
St George said coolly: “I have too much regard for his musical talent
to fight him.” A noble speech, showing St George in all respects the
better man. Giornovicki died suddenly at St Petersburg in 1804.’—G. F.
G.]
[215] G. T., it may now be explained, was George Thomson, the
well-known and generally loved editor of the _Melodies of Scotland_.
He might rather have described himself as _Nonogenarius_, for at his
death, in 1851, he had reached the age of ninety-four, his violin, as
he believed, having prolonged his life much beyond the usual term.
[216] The earl was the leader of the amateur orchestra of St Cecilia’s
Hall, which included Lord Colville, Sir John Pringle, Mr Seton of
Pitmedden, General Middleton, Lord Elcho, Sir Gilbert Elliot, Mrs
Forbes of Newhall, and others of the aristocracy. General Middleton was
credited with ‘singing a song with much humour,’ which he sometimes
accompanied with a key and tongs. Sir Gilbert Elliot, who played the
German flute, was the first to introduce that instrument to a Scottish
audience. St Cecilia’s Hall has passed through many vicissitudes since
then, and is now a bookbinder’s warehouse, but its fine ceiling and the
orchestral balcony at the southern end are still preserved as memorials
of its early days.