Finlay Dun

Who was Finlay Dun?

Finlay Dun was a Scottish musician.

Dun was born at Aberdeen, 24 February 1795. He was educated at the Perth Grammar School and at Edinburgh University, but, his musical tastes developing, went to Paris, where he studied the violin under Pierre Baillot. He next went to Milan, and afterwards accepted an engagement as first viola player in the orchestra of the San Carlo Theatre at Naples. Either at Paris or Milan he had lessons from Aleksander Mirecki, and at Naples he made the acquaintance of Girolamo Crescentini, with whom he studied singing.

On returning to Scotland Dun settled at Edinburgh, where he spent the remainder of his life, occupied in teaching the violin, composition, and singing. He published a collection of solfeggi with an introduction on vocal expression in 1829, but his name is best known by the collections of Scottish songs which he edited. He was also the composer of two symphonies, of several glees and songs, and some unimportant dance music.

He died suddenly at Edinburgh, 28 November 1853.