Columbian and European Harmony, [1st ed.], 1802

ASMI 127 

Columbian and European Harmony: or, Bridgewater Collection of Sacred Music. By Bartholomew Brown, A.M. and others.

'There is in souls a sympathy with sounds; / And as the mind is pitch'd, the ear is pleas'd / With melting airs, or martial, brisk, or grave: / Some chord in unison with what we hear / Is touch'd within us, and the heart replies.' - Cowper.

Published according to act of Congress. Printed at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold by said Thomas & Andrews, and John West, proprieters of the work, at their respective bookstores. Dec. 1802.

159, [1] p., 41. 13 x 22 cm.

Preface dated Bridgewater, 16 Dec. 1802; copyright granted, 13 Dec. 1802, District of Massachusetts, to Thomas, Andrews, and John West as proprietors (Mass 1:147). p. [1], t-p.; p. [2] blank; p. [3], 'Preface'; p. [4], 'Advertisement'; p. [5]-8, 'A Plain and Concise Introduction to the Grounds of Music'; p. 8, 'Errata'; p. [9]-159, music; p. [160], 'Index'; 11-4, blank staves. Music is justly classed among the liberal and polite arts. The principles of Harmony also form a very curious and not inconsiderable part of Mathematics. But, in a work like this, it is not so much an object to teach the abstruse principles of Harmony, as to inculcate the art of singing. Those who would become proficients in composition, or the art of combining sounds, should consult the Massachusetts Compiler [fn.: The Massachusetts Compiler was printed by, and may be had of Thomas & Andrews.], the Encyclopedia, and other works, which explain and develope the doctrine of sound, and all the proportions of Harmony. Those who wish only to qualify themselves for performing plain Psalmody, and to furnish themselves with a convenient and suitable variety of congregational tunes, will, it is hoped, find this work sufficient for their purposes. The Compilers have endeavoured to adapt it to all the variety of time, key, and measure, now in use in the divine worship of the different denominations of Christians. The tunes are chiefly European; but many of them, having never been before published in this country, will have all the novelty and effect of original compositions. [New par.] As this Collection is intended altogether for congrega-tional use, no tunes are inserted but such as are suited to some measure of sacred verse. Many long pieces are, however, selected, which will require some practice and attention; and in order to facilitate the knowledge and performance of them, where the Adagio or Largo time has been used, the Allegro is substituted. This will not affect the tunes, but merely the mode of performing them; the same time in fact being preserved. The character of the Music is such, it is believed, as to accommodate all tastes. A great proportion of it is the production of the greatest Masters, both modern and ancient, in Europe; and has the sanction of general use and approbation. None will object, that the Music is too dull and antiquated; for, after passing through all the grades of improvement, men will at last come to admire the old slow church Music; and will consider the use of Old Hundred and Windsor, as evidence of a correct taste.' (Preface in full.)

          139 compositions, incl. 16 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Addington's Col. (2), Dr. Arne (2), Dr. Arnold (8), Billings, Brown (3), Brownson, Bull (2), Dr. Burney, Callcott, Carey, Chandler, Clark, Dr. Croft, Cuzens, Dalmer (7), Dixon (4), Dixon's Coll. (4), Dr. Douland, Gillet, Handel (5), Har[monia] Sacra (7), Harwood, Holden (5), Holdrayd, Holyoke, Jennings, Johnson, Kimball, Kirby, Knapp, Leach (9), Dr. Madan (7), Mann (2), Milgrove, Mitchell (6), Pleyel, Reed, Reeve, Sacchini, Shrubsole, Smith (2), Stevenson (3), Tansur's Col. (4), Taylor, Thorley, Tuckey, A. Williams (2), Williams Col. (16), Wood (2), I. W[organ-Lock Hospital. 4 1st pr. claimed; 4 identified, also 1 poss. 1st pr. (No. 35 or PLYMOUTH); 36 1st Am. pr. (ABINGTON, ADVENT, ANGEL, ARUNDEL, BRIDGEWATER, CARVER, CARTHAGE, CHRISTIAN, EXHORTATION, GANGES, HAMILTON, HANOVER, HELLESPONT, HERMIT, HUMILITY, JUSTICE, KIPPIS, MARSHFIELD, MOULINES, MOUNT ZION, ORANGE ST., PEMBROKE, PENTECOST, PLYMTON, QUINCY, RESIGNATION, RELIANCE, ROCHESTER, SCHOOL ST., SCITUATE, SEPUL-CHRE, SOUTHWARK, SPRING, WAREHAM, WHITSUNDAY, WINBOURN), & 1 poss. ist Am. pr. (KINGSTON). 30 American compositions, 106 non-American, 3 unidentified [GANGES, HELLESPONT, HERMIT) (29 attrib. Americans, 1 traced [STERLING); 102 attrib, non-Americans, 4 traced [CASTLE ST., EVENING HYMN, LORRAIN, MOULINES]). 

38 Core Repertory.

          S1951 (MWA). CCC, CHC (2), DLC, ICN, MB, MH (2; 1 uncat.), MHi, MSaE (2 uncat.; 1 lacks t-p.), MWA, RPB (2; 1 b.w. The Village Harmony, 6th ed., 1803, & J. Read, The New England Selection, 1808).