ELISHA WEST

(ASMI pp. 610 - 612)

Elisha West (b. North Yarmouth, Me., ca. 25 April 1756; d. after 1808) was a composer, singing master, farmer, and housewright. On 1 Dec. 1776 in North Yarmouth he married Abigail Delano, from whom he petitioned for divorce on 18 Aug. 1807. The 1790 census lists an Elisha West living in New Bedford, Massachusetts. About 1791, West settled in Woodstock, Vermont, and there he led singing schools for many years before domestic troubles and heavy drinking overtook him. He left Woodstock around 1808.

        Bio-bib. Also Census 1790, Massachusetts, p. 47; Dana 1889, p. 220-22. Date of baptism from Old Times 1881, p. 665.

THE MUSICAL CONCERT, 1802-7

The Musical Concert, [1st ed.], 1802: ASMI 524 

The Musical Concert: containing, a concise introduction, with a suitable proportion of tunes and anthems, calculated for the use of schools and religious worship, never before published. By Elisha West, Philo, Mus. Copy right secured agreeably to act of Congress. Printed (typograhpically) at Northampton, by Andrew Wright, for Elisha West and John Billings, Jun. January - 1802.

103, [1] p. 13 x 22 cm. 1 p. vi wrongly numbered iv; p. numbers 64 & 94 pr. upside down; p. 103 wrongly numbered 203.

P. [i], t-p.; p. [ii] blank; p. [iii], 'Preface'; p. [iv] blank; p. [v]-viii, 'Rudiments of Music'; p. 9-[1]03, music; p. [104], 'Index.' 'Some pieces of music, which are here inserted, were at an early period of life; which, when examined, under the advantages of many years experience in practice, and more matured knowledge in theory, it is found that numerous amendments might be made; but, as these pieces have, for some years, been circulated in manuscript, and fallen into the hands of many; have been introduced and practiced, by a large number of singing societies; it is conceived inexpedient at this time, to make many corrections.' (Extract from Preface.)

        54 compositions, incl. 5 anthems & 7 set-pieces, for 4 voices (2 for 3); full text. Attribs. to Anon. (2), J. Billings, W. Billings (3), Carpenter, Edson, E. Mann (2), Troop, [West, (41)], Wood. 34 1st pr. identified (ADMIRATION, Anthems: Arise O God, Awake put on thy strength, God came from Timon; BABYLON, BETHLEHEM, BURTON, CELESTIAL, CONQUEST, CREATION, CONSUMMATION, DISSOLUTION, EVENING HYMN, EVE-SING SHADE, FREEDOM, IDUMEAN, INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, INVITATION, JUDG-MENT, LARK, MILTON, MORNING HYMN, MOURNFUL SONG, OHIO, ORANGE, PORTLAND, PRODIGAL, SALVATION, SOLEMN SONG, TROY, VIENNA, WINDSOR, WINTHROP, ZION), also 2 poss. 1st pr. (DEVOTION, No. 32) & 1 1st Am. pr. (ROSLIN CASTLE). 153 American compositions; 1 traced to non-American source (ROSLIN CASTLE). 13 Core Repertory.

S3532 (MWA). DLC, ICN, MB, MWA, MIU-C, NBuG (front matter inc.), TxWaB.

NOTE: A note on p. viii reads: 'Where there is no credit given, the tunes were composed by the Author, Elisha West."

The Musical Concert, 2d ed., 1807: ASMI 525

The Musical Concert. Containing, the rudiments of music, and a great variety of psalm tunes, together with a number of anthems, suitable for churches and singing societies, many of which were never before published. The second edition. By Elisha West, Philo Musico. Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Northampton, by Andrew Wright. For the compiler, 1807.

104 p.

P. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Preface To The Second Edition'; p. [iii]-vii, 'Rudiments of Music'; p. [viii], 'Index'; p. 9-104, music. 'The Author of the Musical Concert having been encour-aged by a rapid sale of the First Edition of this work, does now most respectfully offer the Public this Second Edition, in which the First is revised, corrected, and enlarged by the addition of forty tunes never before published.' (Extract from Preface.)

        64 compositions, incl. 3 anthems & 4 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Babcock, Brown, Buel, Coan, Edson, Fisher, Holyoke (2), Ingalls, Munson, Read, West (27), J. West (18) Wood (2) st claimed in Preface; 24 identified ( AMERICA, ANIMATION, Anthem: The mighty Lord; BENEVOLENCE, BERLIN, BETHESDA, COLUMBIA, COMPASSION, CORINTH, DETROIT, DURHAM, EXETER, FRANKLIN, FRIENDSHIP, HARMONY, HOSANNA, LOUISIANA, MEDITATION, MORNING STAR, NEW-HAVEN, NORTHAMPTON, PUTNEY, SENECA, WASHINGTON), also 4 1st Am. pr. (CONCERT, CORYDON & CAROLINE, GRATITUDE, SONG OF PRAISE). 160 American compositions, 4 unidentified [CONCERT, CORYDON & CAROLINE, GRATITUDE, SONG OF PRAISE] (58 attrib. Americans, 2 traced). ↑ 2 Core Repertory.

S14202 (MB). MB, MWA*, NN, NNUT, NcWsM (front matter inc.)