HARMONIA EVANGELICA, 1810

ASMI 529 

Harmonia Evangelica, a collection of sacred music, from the most approved authors, in three numbers. No. I. Containing a variety of tunes for public worship; to which is prefixed a concise introduction to psalmody. Compiled by William Wood. Exeter, N.H. Printed by C. Norris & Co.: sold by Thomas & Whipple, State-Street, Newburyport, and Henry Whipple, Salem, Mass.

109, [1] p. 113 x 21 cm. p. 43 wrongly numbered 34.

[1810.] Copyright granted, 20 Nov. 1810, District of Massachusetts, to Wood as proprietor. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3]-4, 'Advertisement'; p. [5]-10, 'Rudiments Of Music'; p. 11-13, vocal lessons; p. [14]-109, music; p. 109, 'Metrical Index'; p. [110], 'Alphabetical Index' & errata. "The Harmonia Evangelica was originally intended for a volume of 250 pages; but as most Societies have some favourite book which they have made use of for years, and not wishing to dispense with it, would probably make a small addition to their number of select tunes, the compiler thought it most convenient to alter his design, and publish it in three numbers, that thereby Singing Societies might be able to furnish themselves with that kind and style of music best suited to their wishes, with small expense. [New par.] A great proportion of the music in this number, is of a style similar to our modern compositions, but of correct harmony, which may tend to draw singers imperceptibly from spurious music, and introduce such as will excite in the mind a great degree of devotional extacy, and soothe the ear with its simple melody. "As the taste and practice of music," says Professor Hubbard, "has a great influence on our religion and morals, every person is under the most solemn obligation to use all his exertions for the suppression of that which is improper." . . . [Substantial quote from Hubbard 1808 follows.] With a view to remedy this evil [the use of secular-sounding music in church] in some small degree, and improve the taste, this work has been carefully selected, and it is hoped will help towards a reformation. [New par.] An apology may be thought necessary for the omission of Old Hundred, Windsor, &c. but as this book was intended for a supplement to other music books; and those excellent tunes being published so often, the compiler thought it best to omit them, in order to insert others, not so common. Should this work be deemed worthy of public patronage, it is proposed that the next number shall contain music of a more graceful style than that to which we have been accustomed, set to hymns at length, and tunes of particular metres not in common use. The third number will contain anthems and occasional pieces, making in the whole as great a variety and as rich a collection as any of the kind extant.' (Extract from Advertisement.)

          102 compositions, incl. I set-piece, for 3 voices, some for 4; full text. Attribs. to Dr. Arnold, J. Arnold, H. Bennett, Dr. Blow, R. Boxwell, Dr. Burney, J. Burney, W. Burney, J. Chetham, J. Clark (2), Costellow (2), Cranford, B. Cuzens, J. Darwell, H.E. (4), German, Altered from the German, F. Giardini, Geo. Green, G. F. Handel (2), Harm[onia] Sacra (3), R. Harrison (2), Dr. Hayes, 'Altered from Dr. Hayes, Heighington, W. Heptinstall, J. Husband, Leach (3), Claude le Jeune, C. Lockhart (2), Lock Collection, Madan, J. Marsh (2), B. Milgrove (2), Dr. Miller, S. Morse, Dr. Nares, Pleyel, H. Purcell, Dr. Randall, Shoel, I. Smith, B. Stubbs, Tallis, R. Taylor, Tuckey, Whitaker, Williams' Coll., A. Williams, T. Williams, T. Williams Coll. (3), Witton.25 1st Am. pr. identified (AUSTRIA, BURTON, CHARITY, CLAREMONT, CLAUDE, CONTRAST, CRANFORD, EGHAM, FUTURITY, HURON, KNOTTINGLY, LIVERPOOL, LYSTRA, MEDITATION, NORFOLK-STREET, ORANGE-STREET, PATMOS, SALOP, THORLEY, UTICA, VENICE, WELWIN, WHITEFIELD, WHITEHALL, WHITSUNDAY), also 4 poss. 1st Am. pr. (GAZA, HYMNS 1st, 3d, MADLEY). American composition, 84 non-American, 17 unidentified [Au-STRIA, BURTON, CHARITY, CLAREMONT, CONTRAST, EGHAM, FUTURITY, HURON, KNOTTINGLY, MEDITATION, NORFOLK-STREET, ORANGE-STREET, PATMOS, UTICA, VENICE, WHITEHALL, WHITSUNDAY] (1 attrib. American; 66 attrib. non-Americans, 18 traced).

2 Core Repertory.

          S22081 (MWA). DLC, MWA*, NhHi.

ASMI pp. 614-616