A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Alday
ALDAY, a family of musicians in France. The father, born at Perpignan, 1737, was a mandoline player, and the two sons violinists. The elder of the two, born 1763, appeared at the Concerts Spirituels, first as a mandoline player, and afterwards as a violinist. His works are numerous, and include a 'Methode de Violon,' which reached several editions. Alday le jeune, born 1764, a pupil of Viotti, was a finer player than his brother, and achieved a great reputation. He played often at the Concerts Spirituels up to 1791, when he came to England, and in 1806 was conductor and teacher of music in Edinburgh. He published three concertos for violin, three sets of duos, airs variés, and trios, all written in a light pleasing style, and very popular in their day, though now forgotten.
[ M. C. C. ]