A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Goulding and Dalmaine

by Charles H. Purday

GOULDING & DALMAINE, a noted English firm of music publishers. Thomas Dalmaine, late of 20 Soho Square, commenced his career by joining Messrs. Goulding and Phipps, 'Music Sellers to their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales,' at 45 Pall Mall and 76 St. James's Street, about 1800. Mr. Goulding, however, was in that line of business in the year 1794 in James Street, Covent Garden (Musical Directory of that date). They published songs and ballads composed by Mazzinghi, Reeve, Shield, etc. In 1806, 7, 8 we find the firm at 124 New Bond Street. In 1809, on the secession of Phipps, they removed to 20 Soho Square, where they secured the publication of the works of Bishop. The house eventually became the most prominent publishing firm in London for the production of works of English composers, up to about the period when Auber produced his opera 'La Muette' (Feb. 1828), the publication of which induced Mr. Dalmaiue to purchase the exclusive publication for England of Auber's future works, though by the decision of the House of Lords (1854) he was unable to maintain that right. The firm did not concern itself with classical music, and although its catalogue contains no less than 300 pages, we look in vain for the great works of Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Mendelssohn. Under the management of his nephew Mackinlay, Dalmaine retired on an annuity of £600, after which the house dwindled down to a fourth-rate establishment, and in 1858 removed to 104 Bond. Street, where Dalmaine died at the age of 83. and in 1866 was followed by Mackinlay. In 67 the plates and copyrights were brought to the hammer. The printed stock sold for little more than waste paper. The plates of all Bishop's operas were melted, and his popular songs and glees are published by anybody who chooses.

[ C. H. P. ]