A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gunn, John

GUNN, John, born in Edinburgh about 1765, in 1790 established himself in London as professor of the violoncello and flute, and whilst there published 'Forty Scotch Airs arranged as trios for flute, violin, and violoncello'; 'The theory and practice of fingering the Violoncello,' 1793, with a dissertation on stringed instruments; and 'The Art of playing the German Flute on new principles.' In 1795 he returned to Edinburgh. In 1801 he published an 'Essay theoretical and practical, on the application of Harmony, Thorough-bass, and Modulation to the Violoncello.' In 1807 he brought out his most important work, viz. 'An Historical Inquiry respecting the performance on the Harp in the Highlands of Scotland from the earliest times until it was discontinued about the year 1734,' written at the request of the National Society of Scotland. His wife, Anne, before her marriage Anne Young, was an eminent pianist. She was the authoress of a work entitled 'An Introduction to Music … illustrated by musical games and apparatus and fully and familiarly explained' (Edinburgh about 1815). The games and apparatus were of her invention. A second edition appeared in 1820, and a third (posthumous) in 1827.

[ W. H. H. ]