Fiddler and Composer Daniel Dow

Dow taught and peformed violin, composed, and organized converts in Edinburgh starting in the 1760s. His book of compositions published in 1776 was the first book to use the word "strathspey" in the title; the strathspey was a slower and more rhythmic type of reel that became popular enough to be given a name of its own at that time. It is said that Dow wrote many tunes in the flat keys becuase his band featured Bb clarinets and Eb horns.

The strathspey "Monymusk" is one of his most famous tunes. It was named that by the Gows when they published it in the 1790s in their collection. Originally it was called "Sir Archibald Grant of Monemusk's Reel." One Dow tune you might remember from last year's Fiddle Rally is "Corimonie's Rant." Because we originally got this tune on sheet music without a composer's name from one of our Cape Breton Rally guests (Carl MacKenzie), I didn't realize until recently that it had been written by Dow.

Dow wrote minuets as well as fiddle tunes, and published the "Collection of Ancient Scots Music" which included a number of tunes by Irish harper Rorie Dall that might otherwise have been lost.

- Ed Pearlman