WILLIAM PIRSSON
William Pirsson (fl. New York City, ca. 1797-1812, 1818-19) was a composer, conductor, music engraver, and schoolteacher whose anthem collection identifies him as a pupil of Dr. George K. Jackson. The New York directories list as a teacher William Pierson (1797-98), William Pirsson (1799-1803, 1807-10), William Pirossons (1804), William Pirssons (1805), and William Pirson (1811). After an absence in the years 1813-17 Pirsson appears again the directories of 1818-19. It is not known whether he was related to Alexander Pirsson and James Pirsson, who were active as piano builders in New York City (1830-46).
Sonneck-Upton, Wolfe. New York Dir., 1797-1819; Wolfe, p. 57, 79. Kaufman 1981, p. 164 & elsewhere, carries information on Alexander and James Pirsson.
TWELVE ANTHEMS, 1801-5
ASMI 407
Twelve Anthems selected, composed, & respectfully dedicated to Dr. G K Jackson by his late pupil Wm. Pirsson[.] Price 4D N.B. The chorus parts for the tenor & counter tenor voices are published in separate books for the use of choirs & singing societies. Price one dollar. New York published by W. Pirsson, and sold at Mr, Hewit's Musical Repository Maiden Lane.
1 p.l., 48 p. 134.5 x 24.5 cm. Engraved throughout. Unsigned, but Pirsson was a music engraver, and he probably engraved this work himself.
[1801-5.] Carr's Masses, Vespers, Litanies ([Philadelphia, 1805]) mentions in the Preface, p. iv, a collection 'published in New-York, by Mr. W. Pirson, under the auspices of Dr. Jackson.' Pirsson was established in New York by 1797, but Jackson did not arrive until 1801.p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. 1-48, music.
12 anthems for solo voices, chorus, & organ, 2 w. orchestral instruments cued in; full text. Attribs. to Dr. Blake, G. F. Handel (2), James Kent (4), Mr. Linley, J. Peene, Wm. Pirsson (2), John Stafford Smith. 2 1st pr. identified (Anthems VIII & XII), also 9 1st Am. pr. (all except Anthem I). 12 American compositions, 10 non-American (2 attrib. American; 10 attrib. non-Americans).
No Core Repertory.
Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). NNC*.
ASMI pp. 490-492.