PHILADELPHIA ST. MICHAEL'S & ZION CHURCH
DIE ERSTEN FRÜCHTE, 1786-87
The texts here set to music were published in a separate booklet without music, Die Ersten Früchte der Singschule der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Gemeine in Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Melchior Steiner, [1786]), recorded as E19630. The title-page notes that the booklet was 'presented as a gift to the students of the afore-mentioned congregation at the autumn examination, 1786' (der Schuljugend der besagten Gemeine bey gehaltenem Herbst-Examen, 1786, zum Geschenk ausgetheilet). Wolf 1972b, p. 132, identifies this publication with St. Michael's and Zion Congregation, reporting that it contains 'texts which Helmuth wrote for David Ott's singing class during 1785 and 1786.' The preface, addressed to the young scholars, exhorts them to piety and explains that the booklet is being issued, in part, 'to encourage your parents and relatives to support our singing school according to their abilities. Therefore many of these songs will be sung by you in loving tones in Zion church this afternoon' (eure lieben Eltern und Verwandten zu reizen, unsere Singeschule nach Vermögen zu unterstüs-sen. Es werden daher viele von diesen Liedern heute Nachmittag von derselben in lieblichen Thönen in der Zions-Kirche abgesungen werden).
ASMI 404
Die Ersten Früchte der Singeschule der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Gemeine in Philadelphia.
[The First Fruits of the Singing School of the Evangelical-Lutheran Congregation in Philadelphia.]
1 p.l., 48 p. 16 x 20 cm.
[1786-87.] The booklet of texts described above is dated 12 Oct. 1786 (p. [iv]); the only copy discovered has a handwritten date on the inside front cover: 'Lancaster 23 May 1787. While it seems likely that singers at the October ceremony for which the publication was issued performed from the printed work, they might also have sung from manuscript or from memory, with the printed version appearing later. p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. 1-48, music.
24 compositions for 2, 3 & 4 voices, probably with organ accompaniment to be assumed (1 with 'Fagotto obligato'); full text, most with additional stanzas. No attribs. 24 Ist Am. pr. identified. Sources of compositions unknown.
No Core Repertory.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). NcWsM*.
NOTE: Die Ersten Früchte was printed from music type, which helps to identify its printer. E19563 is an unlocated 'Collection of Church Music . . . printed typographically by Young and M'Culloch . . . 1786.' Shipton & Mooney report that Evans took the information from an advertisement. They do not give the source, but if the citation is accurate, it shows that music was being printed typographically in Philadelphia in the mid-1780s. In 1787 Young and M'Culloch printed Uranian Instructions, using music type (see No. 503); M'Culloch was thereafter the only Philadelphia printer to bring out typographically printed collections of music in the 1780s and 1790s. Therefore, Young and M'Culloch, or M'Culloch alone, must have printed Die Ersten Früchte.
ASMI pp. 485-486.