ABRAHAM MAXIM
Abraham Maxim (b. Plympton [now Carver], Mass., 3 Jan. 1773; d. Palmyra, Me., 28 March 1829) was a composer, singing master, player of the bass viol, and schoolmaster. Maxim, who is said to have studied in a singing school of William Billings, settled in the 1790s in Turner, Maine, where he taught reading schools and singing schools and joined a Universalist church. He moved to Palmyra in 1827. His first collection contains only his own music.
Bio-bib, Metcalf. Also Cheney 1879, p. 184. Death date from manuscript note in MHi copy of Maxim, The Northern Harmony, 2d ed., 1808.
THE NORTHERN HARMONY, 1805-8
The Northern Harmony, [1st ed.], 1805
ASMI 378
The Northern Harmony; being a collection from the works of many approved authors of sacred music; containing, I. The rudiments of music, laid down in a plain and comprehensive manner. II. Psalm and hymn tunes, adapted to the various metres, in common use, together with several anthems. Calculated for the use of singing schools, and religious societies. By Abraham Maxim. Exeter, Newhampshire: printed at the music-press of Henry Ranlet, for the compiler. 1805.
151, [1] p. 113 x 22 cm.
Advertisement dated Turner, [Me.], June 1805; copyright granted, 20 June [1805], District of Maine, to Abraham Maxim as author. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice & 'Advertise-ment'; p. [3]-10, 'Rudiments of Music'; p. [11]-151, music; p. [152], 'Index.' 'The Compiler of the present Work, with diffidence, presents it to the public . . . In making and selecting pieces for the work, he has aimed at correctness and harmony. It cannot be reasonably expected that any one should make a selection capable of giving universal satisfaction. That difference of taste, which is well known to exist among singers, renders it indispensable to please them all; and equally as impossible not to please some of them. To gratify the candid lovers of Sacred Music, by presenting a selection of pieces, new and old, calculated more particularly for the use of Singing Schools, and Religious Societies, is his wish, and has been his object.' (Extract from Advertisement.)
113 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 3 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Belcher (3), Belknap, Billings (4), Bonney, Carey (2), Chandler (2), L. Cole, Edson, Elles, French, Goff, Holden (2), Holyoke (4), Ingalls (3), Madan, Maxim (15), Merril, Mesevey, Morgan, Parmeter, Read (5), Reynolds (2), Robbins, Stephenson (2), Stone (5), Sumner, Troop, Washburn (2), West (2), Whitting. 45 1st pr. claimed; 43 identified (DAUPHIN pr. earlier; see below for LILY), also I poss. Ist pr. (LILY) & 1 1st Am. pr. (Invocation). 109 American compositions, 3 non-American, 1 unidentified [INVOCATION] (66 attrib. Americans, 6 traced, 37 identified 1st prs. assumed to be American; 3 attrib. non-Americans).
13 Core Repertory.
S8882 (RPB). NN, NjPT, RPB*.
NOTE: The 1805 t-p. date, the June 1805 Advertisement date, and the 30 June 1805 federal copyright date (Maine 1:7/14) confirm that the book was published in 1805. They also contradict the date of the copyright notice printed in the book-20 June 28th year of independence' [1804]-which must be a year too early.
The Northern Harmony, 2d ed., 1808
ASMI 379
The Northern Harmony . . . Calculated for the use of singing schools, and religious societies. Second edition corrected, and enlarged. By Abraham Maxim. Exeter N.H. Printed by Norris & Sawyer, and sold at their bookstore Sold also by Thomas & Andrews, David West, Boston; Charles Peirce, Thomas & Tappan, Portsmouth; Isaac Adams, Port-land 1808.
205, [1] p. p. 103 wrongly numbered 203.
Copyright notice same as in 1st ed. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice & 'Advertisement'; p. [3]-10, 'Rudiments of Music'; p. [11]-205, music; p. [206], 'Index.' 'The very favourable reception with which the first Edition of "The Northern Harmony" met from the friends and lovers of Sacred Music, has induced the Compiler of this work, to present them a Second Edition. [which] comprises a goodly number of pieces calculated to hit the taste, and promote the interests of Singing Schools, and Religious Societies. [New par.] In this Second Edition, are added a variety of Airs, not in the former Edition; many of which are original. The additional Music is mostly American, from an idea that the European Music, is less agreeable to the American ear, than her own.' (Extract from Advertisement.)
163 compositions, incl. 5 anthems & 5 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Baird, Belcher (4), Belknap, Billings (3), Bonney, Bradbury, Carey (2), Chandler (2), L. Cole, Edson (2), Elles, Fairbanks, French, Goff, Handel, Herrick, Holden (2), Holdrayd, Holyoke (5), Ingalls (3), Kimball, Madan (4), Maxim (16), Merrill (2), Merservey, Mil-grove, Morgan (2), Nolten, Parmeter, Read (7), Reynolds (3), Robbins, Selby, Stephenson (3), Stone (5), Sumner, Troop, Washburn (4), West (2), Whitting (3). 26 1st pr. claimed; 27 identified (add Anthem: O Praise ye the Lord), also 3 1st Am. pr. (HARLEIGH, NO. 38, PELMIRA). 148 American compositions, 11 non-American, 4 unidentified [HARLEIGH, INVOCATION, NO. 38, PELMIRA] (85 attrib. Americans, 42 traced, 21 'original' pieces assumed to be American; 10 attrib. non-Americans, I traced [Anthem: If the Lord]).
16 Core Repertory.
S15568 (MWA). DLC*, MHi, MWA, NHi.
THE ORIENTAL HARMONY, 1802
ASMI 380
The Oriental Harmony; being an original composition, in three parts. Part I.-The rudi-ments of music: or, rules for learners. Part II. - Psalm and hymn tunes, of various metres. Part III.-Anthems. Designed chiefly for the use of singing schools, and worshipping assemblies. By Abraham Maxim. Published according to act of Congress. From the music-press of Henry Ranlet, Exeter. 1802.
56 p. 13 x 21.5 cm.
Preface dated Turner, Me., July 1802; copyright granted, 22 June 1802, District of Maine, to Abraham Maxim as author (Maine 1:7/14). p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Preface'; p. [iii]-viii, 'Rudiments of Music'; p. [9]-56, music; p. 56, 'Index.' 'Among the various arts and sciences contributing to the entertainment and happiness of mankind, perhaps there is no one which more justly claims their attention and patronage, than that of Music:... Those, who possess an ear, but not a voice, suitable to join the choir of vocal music, may measurably supply the deficiency, by carrying a part on such musical instruments as are suited to the sublimity of such a choir. -The primary ends of music being the recreation of the ear, the expulsion of mental gloom, the cultivation of health, and the expression of the pious feelings of the heart towards that divine Being who is the author of every good and perfect gift, - the following Work is, with diffidence, submitted to the Public.' (Extract from Preface.)
39 compositions, incl. 1 anthem & 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. T-p. attribs. all to Maxim.39 1st pr. identified. All are American.
No Core Repertory.
S2643 (DLC). DLC*.
ASMI pp. 454-457.