MODERN HARMONY, 1808

ASMI 273 

Modern Harmony: or, The Scholar's Task Made Easy. Being an original composition, in three and four parts. Written on an entire new plan. Particularly to lessen the labor of beginners. Containing, an introduction to the grounds of music, with a number of tunes and anthems, suitable for divine worship, and for the use of musical societies. Concord: printed by George Hough-1808. Sold at his book store, wholesale and retail.

63, [1] p. 19.5 x 24.5 cm. Music written in an original letter notation. A-G represent the syllables (here called faw, sol, law, oh, ho, low, me), and different type-faces represent rhythmic values.

Copyright granted 23 April 1808, District of New Hampshire, to George Hough as proprietor.

p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3]-4, 'Introductory Observations'; p. 4-8, 'Introduction'; p. 9-10, 'Lessons for Tuning the Voice'; p. [11]-63, music; p. [64], 'Index.' 'To render the art of singing less difficult for young beginners, and to promote, in some small degree, the public good, is the object of this production. Whether the work is consonant to the design, is humbly submitted. The author is not unmindful of the difficulty of establishing a system in any degree new, while so many able productions are in circulation which have followed the good old way. All that is here solicited, is a fair experiment.... [New par.] The indifference with which most people perform sacred music, soon renders it heavy and tiresome; but that levity with which sentimental and elevated strains are sometimes performed, is totally inexcusable. Notwithstanding all that has been written to display that pleasure and delight derived from judicious performances; yet how trifling, unless the mind is in a state to receive it. To prepare the mind for a performance, is as necessary as to tune an instrument.' (Extract from Introductory Observations.)

          31 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 3 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. No attribs., but t-p. suggests that all are by the same composer. 31 1st pr. identified. T-p. indicates all are American compositions. 

No Core Repertory.

          S15626 (NhHi). CLU, MWA* (t-p. mutilated, lacks all after p. 62), NhHi.

NOTE: No name other than that of George Hough, the printer and proprietor, is attached to the work. In the absence of any other evidence, Hough is suggested here as its compiler; perhaps he was also the composer of the music.

ASMI 334-335.