John Gunn: Musician Scholar in Enlightenment Britain

John Gunn (1766-1824) was a Scottish cellist, antiquarian, and Enlightenment figure known for his extensive published output on music, including cello treatises, flute and piano books, and a translation of a French music theory work. This study explores his life and work through newly discovered sources, shedding light on his musical experiences, occupations, and social connections.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 19 November 2021
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The Scottish cellist and antiquarian John Gunn (1766-1824) stands out as a remarkable figure among British writers on music during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. With a profound knowledge and practical expertise, Gunn excelled in both classical and modern languages, covering a wide range of musical topics and displaying a keen interest in various subjects. He firmly embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment, advocating for progress through rational thought.

Gunn's published output was extensive and diverse, encompassing a cello treatise in two distinct editions, two books on the flute, one on the piano, a treatise on figured bass, a comprehensive history of the harp in the Highlands, and a translation of a French work of music theory. However, the list of unrealized publications he left behind is even longer, including a proof of the oriental origins of the Scots.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Gunn was a musician-scholar, having studied at Cambridge, London, and Edinburgh. His experiences as a musician-scholar, his various occupations, and his social connections were explored through a recently unearthed cache of his letters, providing a fresh perspective on his life and work.

This study departs from the traditional approach of treatise archaeology and offers a broader view of Gunn's life and contributions. By considering his diverse experiences, occupations, and social connections, the book sheds light on the circumstances and date of Anne Young's death, a well-known Edinburgh piano teacher who married Gunn.

The book will appeal to scholars interested in historical performance practice, music education in Enlightenment Britain, and the dissemination of Enlightenment thought. It provides valuable insights into the life and work of John Gunn, a remarkable figure who played a significant role in the musical and intellectual landscape of his time.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783276417