ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the position in the Susan Burney households established by Herr Scheener in 1788, first during an extended country visit, then, as virtual professional-in-residence, during the early months of the 1789 London season. During the season in London, there was great demand for professional violinists at private musical soirees, but in the summer months, as large numbers left for their country residences, this type of work tailed off. Instead, extended visits to the country were on offer from keen amateur musicians, anxious to enrich what otherwise might have seemed a rather impoverished diet of music-making with family and friends. The good first impression made by Scheener on the Burneys led to repeated requests from Captain Phillips for a visit to his country home. The social, musical and financial dimensions of the country visit have been little investigated. Susan Burney's eloquent account of Scheener's stay at Mickleham illustrates the distinctive features of the country visit.
