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The Music of Robert Louis Stevenson

G-Major Solo in 4/4

By J.F.M. Russell ©2019

Robert Louis Stevenson began studying the piano and composition at age 36 and learned the penny whistle two years later. He played the flageolet, a version of the whistle equipped with keys, almost until the end of his life. His arrangements and compositions include more than 120 pieces. This site describes his complete works through facsimiles, transcriptions, recordings, quotations and commentary.

"An interesting chapter in his life will be written when all his scattered pieces are brought together, and the musical side of his character unexpectedly revealed to the vast public that knows him now only as the winsome versifier and the accomplished romancer."

Robert Murrell Stevenson in Robert Louis Stevenson's Musical Interests, 1957.

Facsimile:

Transcription:

Recording:

Manuscript Location:

Yale University, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Gen Mss 684

Box 1, Folder 36

Robert Louis Stevenson Collection

Series I. Major General and Mrs. John Ramsey Pugh gift

Writings [Music]; scores / 1887-1888

Source:

None.

Significant References in Works of R.L.S.:

None.

Comments:

This simple, untitled melody reveals the care Stevenson took with the form of his music. The first two measures consist of a constantly rising line which is reversed in the next two measures. The next measure repeats the first, but is followed by a variation on the second measure. The final two measures are variations on measures 3-4.