JOHN ROTHBAUST

John Rothbaust (b. 1775 or earlier; d. Chambersburg, Pa., 1841) was a music teacher and county commissioner of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (1809-11). He lived in Cham-bersburg from about 1820 until his death. His will, dated 28 March 1839, was probated Nov. 1841; it mentions a wife, a son, a daughter, and '5 doz. of Musick Books.'

Franklin County 1887, p. 204, 463. His will is accessible in PHi via catalogue number XW Pa Fr5, 1841, #4487, will book D., p. 540-41.

ASMI 442

Geistliche Ton-Kunst, enthaltend die vornehmsten Kirchen-Melodien, die bey alle Religions-Verfassungen gebräuchlich auf drey Stimmen gesetzt: und mit den vornehmste musikalischen Stücken, samt hinreichendem Unterrichte versehen; zur Uebung der Jugen Zusammengetragen und herausgegeben von Johannes Rothbaust. Hannover, gedruckt b Wilhelm D. Lepper. 1807. [Sacred Music, containing the noblest melodies, that are custor ary among all denominations-set for three voices, and including the most distinguish musical compositions, supplied with sufficient instructions for the practice of the youn Compiled and issued by Johannes Rothbaust. Hanover, printed by Wilhelm D. Lepp 1807.]

xii, 90, [2] p. 14 x 25.5 cm. Music supplied in manuscript.

P. [i], t-p.; p. [ii] blank; p. [iii], 'Vorbericht' [Introduction]; p. iv-xii, 'Anweisung z Vocal-Musik' [directions for vocal music]; p. 1, shape-note vocal scales designated as 'Acth Noten' [the eight notes]; p. 1-90, music; p. [91]-[92], 'Register. See Arnold, Geistliche Ton-Kunst, for extract from introduction (No. 26).

100 compositions for 3 voices; full text, w. at least 2 stanzas for all pieces, and 3 & 4 for many. No attribs. 12 1st Am. pr. identified (Der Schlaf ist, Gute Nacht, Hallt und Schallt, O grosser Gott, O Mensch bewein, Ringe recht, Schau über dich, Von Gott will ich, Warum sollt ich, Was mein Gott wilt, Wen dürstet, Wie gross ist), also 8 poss. 1st Am. pr. (Ach wann werd, Ich walle, Jacobs Stern, Mein Heiland!, Seele wirf dein, Unser Herrscher, Wir Christen leut, Zeige zeige). 25 compositions traced to American sources (AMERICA, BRIDGEWATER, CARLISLE, DELIGHT, DOMINION, EASTFORD, GAR-DEN, GRAFTON, HUNTINGTON, LENNOX, LISBON, MAJESTY, MONTGOMERY, OCEAN, RAINBOW, REPENTANCE, RUSSIA, SHERBURNE, STILLWATER, SUFFIELD, SUTTON, SYMPHONY, VIRGINIA, WHITESTOWN, WORCESTER), 62 to non-American, the rest presumed to be non-American.

16 Core Repertory.

Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). MiU-C*.

NOTE: The title-page and front matter are virtually identical with Arnold, Geistliche Ton-Kunst (Hagerstown, 1803) (q.v., No. 26). Only a few changes in wording, a few insignificant omissions from the later item, and the identification by Rothbaust of the note shapes for the four singing syllables (p. xii) distinguish those portions of the two works. The dates indicate that Rothbaust copied from Arnold. See Wolf 1985, p. 304.

ASMI pp.528-529.