ABIJAH FORBUSH
Abijah Forbush (b. Upton, Mass., 11 May 1779; d. Shelburne, Mass., 27 June 1845), a composer, published only his own music in the first edition of his only tunebook, then added pieces by other composers to the second. Living in his home town when his work appeared (1803), he moved by 1806 to the town in which he was to die some forty years later. According to Moore's Encyclopedia, Forbush remained musically active until near the end of his life, completing in 1842 a 'new collection of sacred music... which he designed for publication.' Bio-bib. Also Moore 1854, p. 766; Pierce 1892, p. 93.
THE PSALMODIST'S ASSISTANT, 1803-6
The Psalmodist's Assistant, [1st ed.], 1803
ASMI 192
The Psalmodist's Assistant: containing an original composition of psalm and hymn tunes, and a dirge on the death of General Washington. To which is prefixed, an introduction to the grounds of music. By Abijah Forbush. Published according to act of Congress. Boston: printed by Manning & Loring, for the author.-Sept. 1803.
67, [1] p. 13 x 22 cm.
Preface dated Upton, April 1803; one recommendation dated 5 Sept. 1803. Copyright granted, 14 Nov. 1803, District of Massachusetts, to Forbush as author (Mass. 1: 161). p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Preface' & 'Recommendations'; p. [iii]-iv, 'An Introduction to the Grounds of Music'; p. [v]-67, music; p. [68], 'Index' & 'Errata.' 'Having observed, for several years past, the attention that has been paid to vocal music, I have employed some of my leisure hours for the composition of the same, which I now present to the public: In which performance I expect not to please the curious, nor teach the learned.' (Extract from Preface.) Abraham Wood of Northborough: 'The airs appear to be original, in general, and very pleasing; and generally the music is well set, and the rules explicit.'; Nathaniel Flagg of Upton: 'I think I can, with the greatest propriety, recommend it to the public, to be a work of use and merit.'; and Elias Mann of Roxbury: 'I find it to possess ingenuity and originality.' (Extracts from Recommendations.)
61 compositions, incl. 5 set-pieces, for 4 voices; full text. T-p. attribs. all to Forbush. 161 1st pr. identified. All are American.
No Core Repertory.
S4214 (MWA). CLU, MBC, MWA*, NcWsM (2; 1 w. music inc.), NjPT (p. 67-68 mutilated).
The Psalmodist's Assistant, 2d ed., 1806
ASMI 193
The Psalmodist's Assistant: containing an original composition of psalm and hymn tunes; together with a number of favourite pieces from different authors. To which is prefixed, an introduction to the grounds of music. By Abijah Forbush. Second edition. Boston: printed and sold by Manning & Loring, No. 2, Cornhill 1806.
107, [1] p. 114 x 22.5 cm. p. iv wrongly numbered v.
Copyright granted, 10 Sept. 1806, District of Massachusetts, to Manning & Loring as proprietors. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3]-[4], 'An Introduction to the Grounds of Music'; p. [5]-107, music; p. [108], 'Index' & 'Errata.'
100 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 4 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Babcock (5), Belknap (4), Cooper, Eager, [Forbush, (65)], Goddard, Hamilton, Holden (8), Holt (4), Janes, Ripp[on's] Sel[ection] (3), Swan, Wood. 29 1st pr. claimed; 30 identified (add IMMORTALITY), also 2 1st Am. pr. (CIRCUMSPECTION, KENTUCKY). 96 American compositions, 3 non-American, I unidentified [CIRCUMSPECTION] (28 attrib. Americans, 68 traced; 3 attrib. non-Americans).
No Core Repertory.
S10426 (MWA). CtHC, DLC, ICN, MB, MHi, MWA*, NN, NNUT.
ASMI pp. 275-276.