URI K. HILL

Uri K. Hill (b. Richmond, Mass.?, 1780; d. Philadelphia, Pa., 9 Nov. 1844) was a composer, performer, music engraver, and teacher. Hill, whose father, Frederick Hill, was a fifer in the American Revolution, spent the first twenty years of his life in Rutland County, Vermont. His first publications were printed in Northampton, Massachusetts - The Vermont Harmony, 1801; A Number of Original Airs, 1803-but it is not known where he was living when they appeared. By around 1805 he had moved to Boston, where he tuned pianos and taught, also serving as organist of the Brattle Street Church until 1810. He then moved to NewYork, setting himself up as a music teacher and establishing the Handelian Academy (1814), later named the American Conservatorio (1820). There he and his father also engaged briefly in music engraving. He settled in Philadelphia in 1822 and worked as a music teacher until his death. He was the father of Ureli Corelli Hill (1802-75), violinist and first conductor of the New York Philharmonic Society, and George Handel ("Yankee') Hill (1809-49), a famous stage comedian.

Amerigrove, Grove, Wolfe. Also Johnson 1943, p. 287, 293; Osterhout 1978, p. 308-13 Wolfe 1980, p. 57 & n., 59 & n., 199-200.

ASMI 234: THE SACRED MINSTREL NO. 1, 1806

The Sacred Minstrel. No. 1. Containing an introduction to psalmody, a practical essay on modulation, and a collection of sacred music, suitable for religious worship, selected and composed by Uri K. Hill.

What can our passions' angry sway control / Like melting sounds, sweet modulated strains, /That fill with holy love th'enraptur'd soul.

Boston: printed and sold by Manning & Loring, No. 2, Cornhill 1806.

71, [1] p. 13 x 22 cm.

Introductory note 'To the Public' dated Boston, Oct. 1806; copyright granted, 1 Nov. 1806, District of Massachusetts, to Hill as author. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], introductory note "To the Public', copyright notice; p. [iii]-ix, 'An Introduction to Psalmody'; p. [x], 'Advertisement'; p. [xi]-xv, 'A Practical Essay on Modulation; (Designed for Psalmodists;)'; p. [16], 'A Dictionary of Musical Terms'; p. 17-71, music: p. [72], 'Index.' 'It is hoped that the circumstance of there not being in circulation a small cheap book, containing a collection of European and good American music, will be an excuse for the presumption of the Author in attempting to compile such an one. [New par.] The Music he has selected having been approved and admired, he is chiefly solicitous that his own may not be deemed unworthy of attention. (Introductory note "To the Public' in full.) 'Calling the seven primitive sounds by the names, fa, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi, was practised in England long since, and prevails universally in the United States. In Italy, the syllables, do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si, and in France, ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si, are used for the same purpose. In Germany the letters are used as they are given in the Massachusetts Compiler. [New par.] Rousseau observes, in his Dictionary of Music, that each nation has a kind of music, peculiar to its particular language; and it is so in respect to the names given by different nations to the seven sounds of the octave. Our syllables are perhaps as well adapted, in that respect, as those of Italy or France; but it is to be regretted that we have not, like them, an appropriate one for each of the seven sounds. (Excerpt from Advertisement.)

53 compositions, incl. 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices, I w. instrumental accompaniment; full text. Attribs. to Dr. Arne (3), Dr. Arnold, E. Blancks, J. Cole (2), W. Cole, Corelli & Hill, J. Darwell, H.E., Dr. Green, G. F. Handel (3), U. K. H[ill] (6), O. Holden (3),Holdroyd, J. Kimball, G. Kirby, C. Lockhart, Dr. Madan, B. Milgrove (3), Dr. Nares, T. Olmsted (5), Pleyel, H. Purcell, Rippon's Coll. (3), Sacchini, W. Shrubsole, I. Smith, R. Taylor, T. Williams's Coll. (4). 19 1st pr. identified (AVIGNON, AVON, DETROIT, FRANKLIN, HANLEY GREEN, ICELAND, MILLENNIUM, RHODES, RUBICON), also 3 1st Am. pr. (ARCADIA, CHELMSFORD, RAVENA). 17 American compositions, 36 non-American (17 attrib. Americans; 34 attrib. non-Americans, 2 traced). 5 Core Repertory. S10577 (MWA). CHC, CtY (2), DLC, MH (music inc.), MSAE, MWA, MIU-C", NBUG, NcWsM, NJPT, RPB, TxWaB.

ASMI 235: THE VERMONT HARMONY, 1801

The Vermont Harmony. Volume 1. Containing, a collection of sacred vocal music. Part of which is original. By Uri K. Hill.

Music hath charms for minds with woes opprest, / That soothe their griefs and lull their cares to rest; / Refines the soul, and learns the heart to glow, / With sweet compassion for another's woe. / Lifts up the mind with gratitude above, / And fills the suppliant with diviner love.

Published according to act of Congress, Printed, typographically, at Northampton, by Andrew Wright. For the compiler-1801.

79. [1] p.13 x 22 cm.

P. [1], t-p.: p. [2] blank; p. [3], 'Preface'; p. [4]-8, "The Rudiments of Psalmody'; p. [9]-79, music; p. [80], 'Index to the Music. The work which is here exhibited to the public, is cheerfully submitted to their candid inspection. If in consequence of a singularity of taste there are some trifling deviations (in the music which is original,) from the grammatical rules of composition, it is hoped that they will view them with complacency. (Preface in full.)

46 compositions, incl. 1 anthem & 5 set-pieces, for 4 voices, a few for 3; full text. 

Attribs. to Billings (4), Edson, Giardini, J. Harmon (5), Har[monia] Sacra, Mr. Keys (2), A. King, Lee (2), Dr. Madan, Mr. Mann, Morgan, Olmstead, Original [U.K. Hill] (7), Read, Rollo, Shumway, Mr. Swan (4), Wood. 12 1st pr. claimed; 13 identified (TRIBULATION not claimed), also 2 1st Am. pr. (AFFLICTION, LUZERNE).38 American compositions, 5 non-American, 3 unidentified [AFFLICTION, LIVONIA, LUZERNE] (33 attrib. Americans, 5 traced; 3 attrib. non-Americans, 2 traced [CREATION, MARLBOROUGH).

9 Core Repertory.

S653 (MWA).CSmH, CtY, MH, MWA (7 blank 1. bound at end), MiU-C.

NOTE: Hill's A Number of Original Airs, Duetto's and Trio's (Northampton, ca. 1803) advertises The Vermont Harmony, Vol. 1, as ‘Just published, price 50 Cents,’ and adds: 'From the liberal approbation which Mr. Mann and other eminent Masters are pleased to bestow upon this work, the Author is led to anticipate a speedy sale."

It also advertises: 'Just prepared for the Press. The Vermont Harmony, Volume II. 

Containing, Practical Elements of Instrumental Music, Together with a choice collection of Music, suited to all Instruments.’ No copies have been located, and it is not known whether it was ever published. However, the advertisement shows that Hill planned The Vermont Harmony, Vol, II as a collection of instrumental music, hence setting it outside the scope of this bibliography.

ASMI pp. 299-302