The First Church Collection, 2d ed., 1806

ASMI 123 

The First Church Collection of Sacred Musick.

………….Look, how the floor of heaven / Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold; /There's not the smallest orb, which thou behold'st, / But in his motion like an angel sings,/Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubim: / Such harmony is in immortal souls! ..... Shakespeare.

Second edition. Printed at Boston, by Thomas & Andrews for the First Church singers. September, 1806.

135, [1] p.

Preface dated Boston, Sept. 1806. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2] blank; p. [3]-4, 'Preface'; p. [5]-8, Elements of Musick'; p. 8, 'Explanation Of Musical Terms'; p. [9]-135, music; p. [136], "Index. In the knowledge and practice of sacred musick, as might justly be expected, the psalmodists of the elder continent are vastly superiour to those of America. But is this fact a sufficient reason for the total disuse of American musick? As well might our professors content themselves with reading German lectures, and our clergy with preaching English sermons, because they are excelled in learning and eloquence by the schoolmen and divines of Europe. Easily and rapidly to attain maturity of character belongs neither to plants, men, nor nations. You may attempt with equal success to give the tyro a relish of Addison's style, as to enchant his unpractised ear with the strains of Purcell. The mighty oak is truly a grander object than the tiny acorn; but unless this had been planted, that had never adorned the mountain's side. The celebrated Handel is said to be indebted to Corelli for the elements, by which he breathes such energy and sensibility, and which give to his performances such inimitable expression. If then there had been no Corelli, there possibly had been no Handel; and if no Handel, the melodies of Haydn, Madan, and Arnold, never probably would have charmed the lovers of holy song. Instead therefore of ridiculing the productions of our age and country, and indiscriminately condemning to oblivion the incipient efforts of the American composer, let us, while we reject his worst, commend his best; and, by using them alternately with the labours of able masters, form him to a riper judgment and a purer taste. [New par.] If of the domestick tunes in this collection, it should be said that we have not selected the best which our country affords, we can only reply, we are debtors to both the old and the young, the skilful and unlearned. (Extract from Preface.)

          128 compositions, incl. 3 anthems & 4 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Addington's Coll., Dr. Arnold (2), Billings (8), Blancks, Brown (2), Brownson, Bull (2), Capin, Carpenter, Chetham, J. Cole (2), Dr. Croft, Dalmer, Dixon, Dr. Douland, Edson, Frary, F. Giardini, Gillet, Handel (2), Har[monia] Sacra (2), Harrison, Harwood, Holden (9), Holdrayd, Holyoke (2), Jennings, Johnson, Kimball, Kirby, Lane, Leach (3), Linley, M. Luther, Dr. Madan (2), Mann (2), Parmenter, Pleyel, Purcell, Dr. Randal, Read (4). Rippon, Rippon's Coll., Sacchini, J. Smith, Smith (2), Stevenson (2), Tansur, Tansur's Coll (5), Temple, Thorley, A. Williams (6), Williams's Coll. (13), Wood (2). 1 1st Am. pr. identified (OLD BRICK). 50 American compositions, 76 non-American, 2 unidentified [LANCASTER, OLD BRICK] (45 attrib. Americans, 5 traced [AUSPICIOUS MORN, ENFIELD, GEORGIA, NORWICH, STERLING]; 62 attrib. non-Americans, 14 traced). 

52 Core Repertory.

          Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). DLC, ICN, RPB*.