Old Friends with New Faces; a Selection of our most
popular National Airs, newly arranged Jiff the Flute, with occasional Variations and Embel- lishments. By THOMAS LINDSAY. NO. I.
" Opinion," says Mr. LINDSAY in his preface to this little work, "is by no means agreed as to the eligibility of ornament applied to national melody. It is argued that the introduction of such passages dete- riorates the expressive character of any simple movement with which they may be united. The author does not advocate this view of the subject ; he has, therefore, frequently repeated an air in an embellished form, and is unwilling to believe that he has thus sacrificed the expres- sion of the melody. Whether this has been the actual result, or no, the judgment of others must determine." As far as the appeal is made to us, the decision is in Mr. LINDSAY'S favour; the practice of writing variations upon popular airs being sanctioned by the very highest authority. To flute-players, such a practice is obviously acceptable, limited as their instrument is to the performance of melody only. The airs which this number contains are chiefly Scottish ; the embellish- ments to which are given in good taste, and the variations are perfectly well suited to the character of the instrument. Amateur flute-players will find this work a very pleasing and useful addition to their libraries.
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