The Middlesex Collection of Church Music, [1st ed.], 1807

ASMI 387 

The Middlesex Collection of Church Music: or, Ancient Psalmody Revived. Containing a variety of plain psalm tunes, the most suitable to be used in divine service; to which is annexed, a number of other pieces, of a more delicate and artificial construction, proper to be performed by a choir of good musicians occasionally, in schools and public religious assemblies. Boston: -printed by Manning & Loring, No. 2, Cornhill . . . 1807. 

135, [1] p. 1 10 x 25.5 cm.

Advertisement dated Middlesex, Jan. 1807; copyright granted, 1 Jan. 1807, District of Massachusetts, to David Palmer as proprietor. p. [1], t-p.; p. [ii], copyright notice; p. iii, 'Advertisement'; p. [iv] blank; p. [v]-x, 'Introduction to the Grounds of Music'; p. 11-111, music; p. [112], caption title, 'Select Pieces'; p. [112]-35, music; p. [136], 'Index.' 'This collection of church music was prepared by the Middlesex Musical Society, and the publi-cation of it committed to the Rev. David Palmer, as their agent. [New par.] It must be obvious, that a singing book, containing but a moderate number of well chosen tunes, is much more eligible for use in schools, and in public worship, than several volumes, or than one of large size. The tunes here introduced, in general, are recommended by their antiquity, and more by their intrinsic excellence. They are, in most instances, reduced to their primitive style, so far as time and opportunity would permit; for the spirit and flavor of old wine are always depressed by the commixture of new. . . .  [New par.] The candid public reception of this work, the principal design of which is, to form and improve a taste for music, well adapted to promote religion and piety, is freely acknowledged to be very desirable. . . . It is hoped the time is not far distant, when none will have the temerity to advocate or countenance profaning the house of the Lord, by offering a Babel confusion of tongues, as an act of homage in divine worship.' (Extract from Advertisement.)

          101 compositions, incl. 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices (1 for 2); full text. Attribs. to Addington's Coll., Dr. Arnold (3), E. Blancks, Dr. Burney, H. Carey, J. Chetham, J. Clark, R. Courteville, Dr. Croft (3), F. Giardini (2), Gillet, Dr. Green (3), G. F. Handel (2), Har[monia] Sacra (7), Holdrayd, Italian, Jennings, G. Kirby, W. Knapp (2), Linley, M. Luther (2), M. Madan (4), J. Milton, Pleyel, H. Purcell, I. Smith (3), W. Tansur (7), W. Wheall, A. Williams (10), A. Williams's Coll. (17), T. Williams's Coll. (2), Dr. Worgan. 1 1st pr. identified (PSALM 97), also 3 1st Am. pr. (NEWINGTON, NORFOLK, SHIRLEY). 13 American compositions, 95 non-American, 3 unidentified [MORNING HYMN, SHIRLEY, WARWICK] (1 attrib. American, 2 traced [POLAND, PSALM 97]; 84 attrib. non-Americans, 12 traced). 

45 Core Repertory. 

          S13079 (NN). DLC, MWA, NN (p. [iii-iv] b. before t-p.), NjPT, RPB.