The British Musical Biography

[E] Bremner, Robert, musician and pub-
lisher, born in Scotland about 1720 [1713].
He was a pupil of Geminiani, and taught
music in Edinburgh. On December 13, 1753,
he gave a concert in the High School, Leith.
He commenced business as a music-seller and
publisher at the Golden Harp, opposite the
head of Blackfriars Wynd, Edinburgh, in
1754 ; in 1755 he changed his sign to the Harp
and Hautboy ; and in 1759 he removed to
another shop in the High Street. He re-
moved to London, and opencd a shop with
the Harp and Hautboy sign, in the Strand,
opposite Somerset House, in 1762. Both busi-
nesses were carried on till his death, the
Edinburgh one being managed by John Bry-
son, who succeeded him. He died at Ken-
sington Gore, London, on May 12, 1789.

[W] Works. — Collection of the best Church
tunes, in four parts. Published by Robert
Bremner, by order of the Honourable the
Committee for improving Church music in
the City of Edinburgh, n.d. Thirty Scotch
songs, some of which are for two voices, with
a thorough bass for the harpsichord or spin-
net . . . The words from Allan Ramsay, except
a few never before printed. Edin. [1757] A
Second Set of Scots Songs, Edin., n.d. These
were re-issued in London about 1762-65. The
Songs in the Gentle Shepherd, adapted to the
guitar, Edin. 1759. The Vocal Harmonists'
Magazine, being a collection of catches, glees,
canons, and canzonets, London, n.d. The
Freemasons' Songs, with choruses in 8 and 4
parts ... to which is added some other songs
proper for Lodges, London [1759] . A col-
lection of Scots Reels, or Country dances, with
a bass for the violoncello or harpsichord . . ,
Edin. [issued in 8 parts, 1757-61] A second
collection of Scots Reels or Country dances . . .
London [2 parts, 1768] . A curious collection
of Sects tunes, with variations for the violin,
and a bass for the violoncello or harpsichord,
Edin. 759. Rudiments of Music, or a short
and easy treatise on that subject, to which is
added a collection of the best Church tunes,
eanons and anthems. Edin. 1756 ; 2nd ed.
Edin., 1762; 3rd ed. London, 1763. Instruc-
tions for the guitar, London, n.d. Thoughts
on the performance of Concert music [pre-
fixed to Schetky's Quartets, Op. 6] , London,
n.d. The Harpsichord or Si^innet Miscellany,
London [1760] . Select concert pieces for the
Harpsichord or Pianoforte . . . London, 1780,
pub. in numbers.

entry id: 59-L-1