ELIAS MANN
Elias Mann (b. Canton, Mass., 8 May 1750; d. Northampton, Mass., 12 May 1825), a composer, singing master, and house carpenter, lived in Worcester, Massachusetts, during the 1780s and 1790s before moving to Northampton around the time of his marriage in 1795. (He married Asceneth Wright, sister of Daniel and aunt of Andrew Wright, Northampton's first music printers, who also printed Mann's The Northampton Collection.) In 1803 he was in Roxbury, and from ca. 1805-16 he lived in Boston, where he was a founding member of the Massachusetts Musical Society (1807). U.S. census records place him in Northampton in both 1800 and 1820. In his early days he composed and published a few secular songs.
Amerigrove, Bio-bib, Grove, Metcalf, Sonneck-Upton, Wolfe. Also Boston Dir. 1805-16; Forbush 1803, p. ii; Kroeger 1976, p. 66, 84, 90-91; Northampton Records 1962; Osterhout 1978, p. 289-94-
See No. 119 for transcript of letter suggesting that Elias Mann had a hand in compiling LXXX Psalm and Hymn Tunes (Boston, 1810), on behalf of Boston's Brattle Street Church.
THE MASSACHUSETTS COLLECTION, 1807
ASMI 373
The Massachusetts Collection of Sacred Harmony. Containing a plain and concise introduc-tion to the grounds of music: also, a large number of psalm tunes, selected from the most approved and eminent authors; adapted to the different metres and keys generally used in churches. Together with a number of select pieces and anthems, suitable for various occa-sions. By Elias Mann.
And ever against eating cares, / Lap me in soft Lydian airs, / In notes with many a winding bout/ Of linked sweetness, long drawn out; / With wanton heed and giddy cunning, /The melting voice through mazes running; / Untwisting all the chains that tie/The hidden soul of harmony Milton.
Boston: printed by Manning and Loring, for the author 1807.
199, [1] p. 13.5 x 22 cm.
Copyright granted, 21 Nov. 1807, District of Massachusetts, to Mann as proprietor. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], copyright notice; p. [iii], 'Preface'; p. [iv], 'Dissertation'; p. [v]-x, 'Introduc-tion To The Grounds Of Music'; p. xi, 'A Dictionary Of Musical Terms'; p. [xii] blank; p. 13-195, music; p. 196-99, blank staves; p. [200], 'Index. The Compiler of this Work is decidedly of opinion with many of his musical friends, that the daily improvement of taste in sacred music calls for a collection which shall meet the wishes of the public, and promote correctness, simplicity, and sentiment, in this part of devotion. [New par.] In this Collection will be found none of those wild fugues, and rapid and confused movements, which have so long been the disgrace of congregational psalmody, and the contempt of the judicious and tasteful amateur. If the Compiler should be so fortunate as to lend any material aid, by the present Work, to the cause of reformation, he shall confidently expect the approbation and patronage of those who wish to share in this interesting part of public worship.' (Preface in full.)
157 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 10 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Dr. T. A. Arne (2), Dr. S. Arnold (3), Benham, W. Billings (10), E. Blancks, J. Broderip, B. Brown, A. Bull (2), S. Capen, H. Carey, Carpenter, Chandler, J. Chetham (2), J. Clark, Coombs, W. Cooper, Dr. W. Croft, W. Dixon, H.E., Frary, Dr. M. Green, G. F. Handel (2), Dr. Heighington, O. Holden (8), Holdrayd, S. Holyoke, King James, Jennings, Jesser, G. Kirby, J. Leach, C. Lockhart, M. Luther, R. Lyon, M. Madan (9), E. Mann (19), B. Milgrove (2), Dr. E. Miller, Pilsbury's Coll., J. Pleyel, D. Purcell, H. Purcell, Dr. Randall, D. Read (2), Reeve, Sacchini, W. Selby, T. Shoel, I. Smith (2), W. Tansur, T. Thorley, Z. W. Vincent, J. Wainwright, T. Walker, West, A. Williams (3), Wood. 12 1st pr. identified (PEARL STREET SPRING), also 3 1st Am. pr. (BERKSHIRE, HATFIELD, VERMONT). 157 American compositions, 94 non-American, 6 unidentified [BERKSHIRE, CRUCIFIX-ION, HATFIELD, NEW HAVEN, RELIANCE, ST. MARK's] (53 attrib. Americans, 1 wrongly [WALSINGHAM is non-American], 5 traced [CAMBRIDGE, HEBRON, NEW 100, RESURRECTION, VIRGINIA]; 56 attrib. non-Americans, 38 traced).
40 Core Repertory.
S12981 (MWA). CtY (2), DLC, MB, MH, MHi, MSaE (2), MWA, MiU-C, NcWsM, NRU-Mus*, RPB.
THE NORTHAMPTON COLLECTION, 1797-1802
The Northampton Collection, [1st ed.], 1797
ASMI 374
The Northampton Collection of Sacred Harmony. In three parts. Containing, I. A plain and concise introduction to the grounds of music. II. A large number of psalm tunes, selected from the most approved and eminent authors. Adapted to all the different metres and keys used in churches. III. A number of lengthy pieces of several verses each, many of which are compositions never before published, and calculated for the use of churches and other occasions;-with a number of universally approved anthems. By Elias Mann.
And ever against eating cares, / Lap me in soft Lydian airs; / In notes with many a winding bout/ Of linked sweetness long drawn out; / With wanton heed and giddy cunning, / The melting voice through mazes running; / Untwisting all the chains that tie / The hidden soul of Harmony. - Milton
Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Northampton, by Daniel Wright & Co. Sold by them in Northampton; by the principal booksellers in Boston; and by Nathaniel Patten in Hartford.-1797.
iv, 139, [1] p. 13.5 x 21.5 cm.
Copyright granted, 3 Nov. 1797, District of Massachusetts, to Mann as author (Mass. 1:78-79). Worcester Massachusetts Spy, 29 Nov. 1797, advertises work as just published. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Preface'; p. [iii]-iv, 'Dissertation'; p. [1]-8, 'Introduction'; p. 8, 'An Expla-nation of Terms Used in Music'; p. [9]-136, music (p. [9]-74, 'Part II'; p. [75]-136, 'Part III'); p. 137-39, blank staves; p. [140], 'Index' & 'Errata.' [The compiler] has taken great pains to select that variety of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, of the different metres and keys, which he judged the best adapted to the use of churches, and arranged them in a manner the most convenient to their use, and also that of schools, by beginning with tunes on the two natural keys, then through the different removes of the mi, and modes of time. [New par.] The Compiler has taken the liberty in the following collection, to change the names of some of his own tunes, heretofore published, into numbers, to prevent the confusion arising from the plurality of the same names, and will in future observe the same method with all his musical compositions. [New par.] Many of the tunes, however, in the following Collection, were never before published, and the Compiler of this work relies upon the candour of the Public, to attenuate any imperfections they may discover in them, or any part of the compilation, and sincerely hopes they may prove useful and acceptable.' (Extract from Preface.)
91 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 11 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Belknap, Billings (14), Brownson, Chandler (2), Deaolph, Edson (4), Gillet (2), Hall, Hamilton (5), Holden (6), Holyoke (5), Knapp, Knibb, M. Luther, Madan, Mann (13), Morgan (3), Read (10), Rippon's Coll., Shoel (2), Stephenson (2), Swan (4), Williams (2), Wood (4). 10 1st pr. claimed; 17 identified (add Anthem: I was glad; Nos. 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18). 77 American compositions, 14 non-American (76 attrib. American composers, 1 traced [PSALM 119); 11 attrib. non-Americans, 3 traced).
38 Core Repertory.
E32416 (MWA). CLU (2), CSmH, CtY, DLC, ICN, MBC, MH, MHi (2), MWA", MiU-C (front matter & music inc.), MoKC (inc.), NN, NcWsM, NJPT, OCIWR, RPB.
NOTE: The Dedham Columbian Minerva, 17 Jan. 1799, carried a notice that the work was for sale at the newspaper office. The advertisement also claimed: "This Composition of Music has met with a very rapid Sale in the Counties of Hampshire and Worcester, and in the State of Vermont.'
The Northampton Collection, [2d ed.], 1802
ASMI 375
The Northampton Collection of Sacred Harmony . . . Printed, typographically, at Northampton, by Andrew Wright.-For Daniel Wright.-1802.
135, [1] p. 13 x 22.5 cm. p. 69 wrongly numbered 96; p. 95 numbered 97; p. no. 89, p. no. 108, and the 1 of p. 135 not struck.
P. [1], t-p.; p. [2], 'Preface'; p. [3]-4, 'Dissertation'; p. [5]-12, 'Introduction'; p. [13]-129, music (p. [13]-84, 'Part II'; p. [85]-129, 'Part III'); p. 130-35, blank staves; p. [136], 'Index. The compiler of the following work, encouraged by the success of its first edition, begs leave to offer to the public a second edition. . . . [New par.] . . . [It contains] that variety of Psalm and Hymn tunes, of the different Metres and Keys which is suited to the approved selection of Dr. Belknap, and which is adapted to the use of Churches in general, also to Dr. Watt's Psalms and Hymns; the tunes are arranged in a manner the most convenient to their use, both for public worship and schools . . . [New par.] It will be observnd [sic] that this collection contains many tunes never before published, and also several European Compositions which were never printed in America.' (Extract from Preface.)
90 compositions, incl. 3 anthems & 9 set-pieces, for 4 voices (1 for 3); full text. Attribs. to Billings (9), Broderip, Brownson (2), Bull, Capin (2), Carpenter, Chandler, Coan, Deaolph, Edson (2), Frary, Giardini, Handel, Har[monia] Sacra (4), Holden (8), Holyoke, Kimball, Knibb, L[ock] Hospital, J. Leach, M. Luther, Madan & Mann, Mann (23), Mitch-ell, Morgan, Parmeter, Read (5), Walden, [Benjamin] West, [Elisha] West (2), W[illiams] Coll[ection], Wood (4). 15 1st pr. claimed; 10 identified (add Nos. 8, 22, 28, 29, 36, 38; subtract PERU), also 4 1st Am. pr. (DURHAM, PERU, PSALM 57, RELIANCE), & 3 poss. 1st Am. pr. (NEW 100, Nos. 32, 35). 70 American compositions, 17 non-American, 3 unidentified [CRUCIFICTION, DURHAM, RELIANCE] (67 attrib. Americans, 3 traced [JUBILEE, MARYLAND, NEW 100]; 15 attrib. non-Americans, 2 traced).
21 Core Repertory.
S2582 (MWA). DLC, MB, MBHM, MNF, MWA*, NBUG, RPB.
NOTE: The Dedham Columbian Minerva, 8 March 1803, advertises the work in a note dated 22 Feb., adding: "The lovers of Music in Dedham, and its vicinity, are informed that the common and appropriate pieces to be performed at the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Bates are selected from this book.
ASMI pp. 449-452.