Edinburgh Musical Society: its membership and repertoire, 1728-1797

Abstract

The thesis gives an account of the life of the Musical Society of Edinburgh from its formation as a properly-constituted organisation in 1728 until its closure in 1797. The principal contemporary sources are the Minute Books and concert plan books, along with the accounts and other papers belonging to the Society, which are to be found in several locations in Edinburgh. The information contained in these has been collated and put into databases which are not themselves part of the submission, but which have been used to draw conclusions stated in the thesis. The most important items from the databases are presented in the appendices.

The Musical Society is considered in the context of the cultural and social life of Edinburgh in the eighteenth century, in particular against the background of other clubs and societies. Its organisation is described, in relation to its membership, its funding and its main function of presenting weekly concerts. The programmes in the concert plan books are analysed, and the music performed is linked with the evidence of music purchased or copied at different times, and also with the two Indexes of music which survive, to give as complete a picture as possible of the concerts.

The employment of professional musicians by the Society, and the influence which this had on music-making in the city, is discussed with particular reference to the presence of foreign (mainly Italian) performers. The importance of singers to the concerts is also discussed, and accounts are given of the careers with the Musical Society of the principal vocal soloists and leaders of the orchestra. An important and hitherto unresearched connection is made between the Musical Society and the Masonic lodges in the centre of the city because of their common use of music and employment of the same professional players in their activities, and because of the many members, musicians and others, common to the lodges and the Society.

The changes in the city and in its social atmosphere which led to the decline and eventual demise of the Musical Society are considered, and conclusions are drawn as to the Society's place in the musical history of eighteenth century Edinburgh, and its contribution to the cultural life of the time.