WALTER JANES
Walter Janes (b. Brimfield, Mass., 27 Feb. 1778; d. Ashford, Conn., 24 July 1827) was a composer, poet, inventor, and perhaps also a farmer; he lived in Holland, Massachusetts, and Ashford. He was a Freemason.
Bio-bib. Also Janes 1868, p. 195-97; Lipson 1977, p. 348 and elsewhere.
THE HARMONIC MINSTRELSEY, 1807-8
The Harmonic Minstrelsey, [Pt. 1], 1807
ASMI 284
The Harmonic Minstrelsey. Containing a new collection of sacred music-in three and four parts, comprising variety in stile, tune, time and measure; and well proportioned to all the different metres and keys commonly used in churches-together, with a number of set-pieces, choruses and anthems, appropriate to ordinations, dedicetions, thanksgivings, &c. -Chiefly original. To which is prefixed-the necessary rules for learners. The whole being calculated and designed for the use of schools and public worship. By Walter Janes.
Music hath magic powers, and potent spells, / To soothe the raging passions into peace. / At dulcet tones, and modulated strains, / Revenge assumes soft pity's placid mien. / The lips of slander are in silence seal'd, / The eye of hate tears of compassion shed, / The list'ning ear is charm'd, the heart improved, / And warm devotion fills the ravish'd soul.
Dedham: printed by H. Mann, and sold, (wholesale and retail) at his bookstore, and by the various booksellers in the United States-1807.
103, [1] p. 13.5 x 23 cm.
Copyright granted, 7 Aug. 1807, District of Massachusetts, to Walter Janes as author. Preface dated Dedham, Aug. 1807. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3], 'Preface'; p. [4], 'Dictionary Of Musical Terms'; p. [5]-12, 'Introduction to the grounds of music, by way of question and answer'; p. [13]-103, music; p. 103, 'Errata'; p. [104], 'Index. 'In compiling the following work, the Editor's object has been, to furnish the Public with a cheap Book, expressly calculated for the use of Schools and public Worship.... [New par.] In selecting the Tunes which are here designed for common Church Music, he has endeavoured to take such as will conform to the general accent of the Poetry; and such, as will apply to any words in the like metre, with the same ease, as they will to the words to which they are particularly set. And in general, he has chosen short and easy Tunes that will require no great skill, nor much time and exertion to be learned. [New par.] In the Stile of the Music, he has aimed at the modern taste, and to that, which he supposes to coport with the Idea of Worship; and the general tenor of the Psalms and Hymns, which are made use of for that purpose.... [New par.] He has likewise observed a due proportion in selecting appropriate Pieces for the following particular occasions, viz.-Funerals, Fasts, Thanksgivings, Ordinations, Dedications, &c.... [New par.] With diffidence, as it respects the Music of his own writing, the Compiler humbly submits the Work to public Inspection, fondly hoping that if there is none that likes all the Music, all will like some of it; and that no Purchaser will have occasion to say with Dr. Franklin, that he "gave too dear for the Whistle."" (Extract from Preface.)
100 compositions for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to G. W. Adams, W. Billings (5), Bridgewater Coll., R. Broderip, Brownson, A. Bull, J. W. Callcott, Coan, L. Collins, B. Cuzens (2), H.E., A. Ellis, S. Gay, German, F. Giardini, Handel (2), Harmonia Sacra (2), R. Harrison, O. Holden, S. Holyoke (2), J. Husband, Janes (47), Jenks, Jennings, J. Key, B. Milgrove (2), Parmeter, Pleyel, D. Read (3), I. Smith, L. Smith, J. Stephenson, T. Swan, A. Williams (3), T. Williams Coll. (7). 1 48 1st pr. claimed; 47 identified (JUBILEE not a 1st pr.) 169 American compositions, 30 non-American, 1 unidentified [GANGES] (70 attrib. Americans [GANGES to Bridgewater Collection]; 30 attrib. non-Americans).
18 Core Repertory.
S12824 (MWA). CLU, CtY, ICN (2), MB, MHi, MWA*, MiU-C, NN, NcWsM (2), PPiPT (front matter & music inc.), RPB.
The Harmonic Minstrelsey, Pt. 2, [1808]
ASMI 285
[The Harmonic Minstrelsey, Part 2. By Walter Janes. Dedham: Herman Mann, 1808.] The Dedham Norfolk Repository, 24 Nov. 1807, advertises Janes's The Harmonic Minstrelsey, 'Part First' as 'just published, adding: 'The 2d part of this work, to consist of Set Pieces, Choruses and Anthems, appropriate to Ordinations, Dedications, Thanksgivings, &c. is to be published next Spring; the whole to make 150 pages-The Price to Subscribers of the 1st Part well bound, is 50 Cents-to Non-subscribers, 67 Cts. and 6 cols. [i.e., copies?] 50 Cts. a dozen. The 2d Part will be only 25 Cts to subscribers, making both Parts 75 Cts.' On 22 Nov. 1808, the same newspaper advertised Janes's The Harmonic Minstrelsey as 'lately published,' and for sale at a price of 'single 75 cents, 8 dollars per dozen.' The advertisement must refer to the complete version, with Parts 1 and 2 bound together.
Not in Shaw-Shoemaker.
No copy located.
THE MASSACHUSETTS HARMONY, 1803
ASMI 286
The Massachusetts Harmony, consecrated to devotion. In four parts. I. An introduction to the rudiments of music, by way of question and answer. II. A variety of useful lessons to exercise the learner in the use of notes, and for the tuning of his voice. III. A large number of tunes, adapted to the various metres and keys usually performed in churches. IV. A number of pieces adapted to particular hymns, together with elegiac pieces, odes and anthems. Never before published. Designed particularly for the use of the singing schools and musical assemblies in the United States. By Walter Janes, a citizen of Massachusetts.
Hail, music! hail, thou sorrow-soothing sound! / Propitious boon, to favour'd mortals giv'n; / Thou sov'reign balsam for affliction's wound, / And joy of the celestial hosts of heav'n. / Sacred to mem'ry let th'auspicious morn, / When stars prov'd vocal, and in concert sung, / Rouse us to imitate, with heart and song, / The praise, which through th'ethereal concave rung.
Published according to act of Congress. Boston: printed by Manning & Loring, for the author.-Octo. 1803.
128 p. 13 x 22.5 cm.
Prefatory note dated Holland [Mass.], Sept., 1803. Copyright granted, 26 Sept. 1803, District of Massachusetts, to Janes as author (Mass. 1:158-59). p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii] blank; p. [iii]-iv, 'To The Public'; p. [v]-xiv, 'Part I. A Concise Introduction To The Rudiments Of Music'; p. [xv]-xxv, 'Part II. Lessons To Exercise The Learner'; p. [xxvi]-xxvii, 'General Observations' attrib. to Oliver Holden, The Union Harmony; p. [xxviii], 'Musical Terms Explained'; p. [29]-125, music; p. 125, 'Errata'; p. [126], 'Index'; p. [127]-28, 'Subscribers' Names' (list includes Abner Ellis, Abijah Forbush). 'Music being esteemed an essential part of Divine Worship, every attempt to promote it, may be considered as an attempt to promote the worship of the Deity. . . . [New par.] Prompted by these sentiments, and the anxious solicitations of his friends, the Author of the following pages has been induced to offer them to the Public. With due respect, therefore, to his fellow citizens, and particularly to those, who are professedly masters of music, the Author submits the merit of his work to their decision. He must do himself the justice, however, to inform them, that the principal part of the music of his own composition, was written in his years of minority, for the purpose of gratifying a youthful fancy, without the remotest idea of its ever being made public. And, that his duties of life have been in such a contracted sphere, that he has been deprived of the advantages of becoming acquainted with the arts and sciences, particularly that of mathematics, which is so necessary in the science of music. [New par.] . . . He has studied variety, and to that of his own music, has added various pieces of the composition of different gentlemen; all of which will stand as they came from the hands of the original composers.' (Extract from prefatory note.)
54 compositions, incl. I anthem & 5 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices (1 for 2; 1 for 6); full text. Attribs. to Albee (3), M. Belknap, Copeland (9), Ellis (2), Forbush (2), [Janes] (31), Mann (4), Needham, Pond. 153 1st pr. identified (all except TRIBULATION). 54 American compositions (all attrib. to Americans).
No Core Repertory.
S4441 (MWA). CLU, DLC, ICN, MB, MH (t-p. mutilated; lacks back matter), MHi, MWA, MiU-C*, MOKU, NHI, NNUT, NRU-Mus, NcWsM, RPB.
ASMI pp. 349-352.