Alexander McGlashan

Alexander McGlashan (c.1740 – May 1797) was a Scottish violinist, bandleader and editor of music collections.

Life

McGlashan flourished in Edinburgh, where he was a spirited leader of the most fashionable band in the city. He regularly gave concerts at St Cecilia's Hall. He was known as "King McGlashan" because of his commanding presence and showy style of dress.

He gave lessons to the violinist and composer Nathaniel Gow. He died in Edinburgh in May 1797, and was buried there in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Publications

He edited three volumes of Scottish music:

• A Collection of Strathspey Reels (1780)
• A Collection of Scots Measures (1781)
• A Collection of Reels (1786)

References

• Hadden, James Cuthbert (1893). "McGlashan, Alexander" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 35. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 92.
• "McGlashan, Alexander". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17514. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
• Nathaniel Gow electricscotland.com, accessed 27 March 2016
• John Glen Highland Music Trust, accessed 27 March 2016
• Page xxxii Edited by Peter Garside and Richard D. Jackson. The Forest Minstrel, Edinburgh University Press 2006.