A discovery that had me gasping for air for a minute was the retrieval of a surviving copy of one of the earliest prints for Neapolitan mandolin in Paris.
We knew this particular print had been published in Paris in 1765 but so far no one had found a copy.
Thankfully I stumbled on a copy during some routine research in the Colonial Williamsburg Research Department, historical collection with the shelf mark of M287.M676 H9
Provenance
The print was originally published at the Bureau d’abonnement musical in 1765, engraved by Mme (Marie-Charlotte) Vendôme. The author is anonymous on the title page (Mr. ***) but it has been suggested in the past to be Jean-Baptiste Miroglio (ca. 1725-1785). The print consists of 13 pages. The library gives no clear acquisition history.
Content
HUITTIEME SUITE
Des
AMUSEMENS
DES
DAMES
PETITS AIRS EN DUO
Pour deux Violons, Mandolines, ou Pardessus
de Violes
PAR MR. ***
Prix 3lt12
A PARIS
Au Bureau D’abonnement Musical Cour de L’ancien Grand-
Cerf St. Denix
Et aux adresses Ordinaires de Musique
de l’Imprimerie de Récoqualtiée A.P.D.R. Gravée par Made. Vendôme.
Duets
I
Allegro
p. 2: 2/4 in D
Minuetto
p. 2: 3/4 in D
II
Largo
p. 3: 3/4 in D
Allegro
p. 3: 2/4 in D
III
Marche
p. 4: C barré in D
Minuetto. 2e MInuetto
p. 4: 3/4 in D
IV
Andante
p. 5: 2/4 in c
Aria Graziosso
p. 5: 3/8 in c
Arias
Aria I Tedesco Presto
p. 6: 3/8 in C
Aria II All°
p. 7-8: 2/4 in A
[Aria III]
p. 7: c barré in A
[Aria IV]
p. 7: c barré in C
Aria V Minuetto
p. 8: 3/4 in A
Aria VI Forlana
p. 8: 6/8 in A
Aria VII Minore
p. 8-9: 6/8 in a
Aria VIII Allegro
p. 9: c barré in A and a
Aria IX Grasiozo Pastorella
p. 10: 3/8 in G
Aria X Balletto
p. 10: c barré in G
Aria XI
p. 11: c barré in g
Aria XII Grasiozo
p. 11: 3/8 in g
Aria XIII
p. 12: c barré in G
Aria XIV
p. 12: c barré in F
Aria XV
p. 12-13: 3/4 in F
Aria XVI Minuet°
p. 13: 3/4 in F
Aria XVII MInuetto
p. 13: 3/4 in F
All writing is in the style of the typical simple duets of the later 18th century. No real idiomatic use of mandolin technique.
Conclusions
The writing of the print is in the rather simple, gallant style so fashionable in Paris during the 1760s. The music is indeed interchangeable between several lead instruments but mandolin did indeed gain some popularity and hence the market of prints was starting to target the instrument. The music is certainly a welcome addition to the repertory and for scholars it is clearly a famous find as it is one of the first Paris prints for the instrument.
