Making music in the USA: The music since the XVII until the XIX century

In this post we are going to talk about the music in the USA since the XVII until the XIX century.
In 1620, The Pilgrims sing from The Book of Psalms by Henry Ainsworth in 1612. One of the best known is Old 100th sung to Psalm 100 ("Shout to Jehovah all the earth").

In 1640, The Whole Booke of Psalms Faithfully Translates into English Metre first edition (also known as The Bay Psalm Book) was printed without music.

One of the best known psalms is: "Psalm 23".

Later, in 1698 the first one edition to contain music was the Ninth edition of The Bay Book (original title: The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Old & New Testament: Faithfully Translated into English Metre,)
In 1721 The Grounds and Rules of Musick Explained, or An Introduction to the Art of Singing By Note was the first music printed with barred notes by Rev.Thomas Walter.

In 1726 What is believed to be the earliest American tune was composed by Rev. John Tufts published in the fifth edition of his tune collection: An Introduction to the Singing of Psalm-Tunes.

In 1730 Gottliche Liebes Und Lobes Gethoene was the first collection of Pennsylvania German hymns by Conrad Beissel from the Ephrata Cloister (also known as Seventh Day Baptists).
In 1747 Paradisches Wunder-Spiel was the first choral music collection from the press of the Ephrata Clositer, a Protestant monastic order in Pennsylvania.

In 1759 "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free" was the first song written by an American, Francis Hopkinson, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1761 "Urania. A Choice Collection of Psalm-Tunes, Anthems and Hymns" was the first music collection compiled by an American musician, Rev. James Lyon.
In 1762 The Saint Cecilia Society was the first musical society founded in Charleston, South Carolina. This society's history remains shrouded in mystery but is known to be a sponsoring group for concerts.
Also in this year, the first documented singing meetings in a diary of Elijah Dunbar which in 1782 was led to the later formation of the Stoughton Musical Society.
In 1770 The New-England Psalm-Singer was the first collection of music by an american composer, William Billings.

In 1776 was written to the "Yankee Doodle" tune probably the earliest American words called "Father and I Went Down to Camp", attributed to Edward Bangs.

In 1778 First patriotic war song "Chester" by an American, William Billings.
In 1786 The Stoughton Musical Society was founded when 25 male singers were listed in a journal. This is now the oldest choral society in the United States.
In 1787 a ballad called "The Grand Constitution" was written about the U.S. Constitution and is set to the English tune, "Heart of Oak".
In 1789 Some songs was written in tribute to George Washington's Inauguration as First US President, including an"Ode to the President of the United States" and set to the English tune, "God Save the King".

In 1794 Several important tune collections were published. One was The Continental Harmony by William Billings and another one was The Harmony of Maine by Supply Belcher.

In 1797 the song "The Battle of Trenton" was composed by James Hewitt and was dedicated to George Washington and included "Washington's March" and "Yankee Doodle."

In 1798 First use of the popular English tavern tune, " Anacreon in Heaven" in a song dedicated to President John Adams: "Adams and Liberty".

In 1799 some memorial songs were composed in memory of George Washington, such as Peter A. con Hagen's "Funeral Dirge on the Death of General Washington".

In 1805 The Christian Harmony, or Songster's Companion by Jeremiah Ingalls was one of the first collections with American folk hymns. His music has remained popular with various choruses.

In 1814 "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and set to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven" but it was recognized in 1931. The original title of the poem by was "The Defense of Fort McHenry".

In 1815 The Handel & Haydn Society was founded. It is now the oldest continuous performing arts organization in the U.S.

Later, in 1822 The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of sacred choruses was first published.
In 1817 "There's Nothing True But Heaven" words by Sir Thomas More and music by Oliver Shaw is one of the first popular songs.
In 1827 "The Minstrel's Return from the War" was the first popular American song hit by John Hill Hewitt who was called "Father of the American Ballad."
In 1831 "My Country 'Tis of Thee" (also known as: "America") words were written by Samuel Francis Smith and set to the tune of "God Save the King."
In 1835 "Amazing Grace" published to the tune of "New Britain" in William Walker's The Southern Harmony. This is the version most often sung today.

In 1838 First music in public schools begun in Boston and led by Lowell Mason, who was best known for his many hymns and anthems, including "Nearer My God To Thee" and "Jerusalem, My Glorious Home."

In 1840 "The Old Arm Chair, A Ballad" by Henry Russell.
In 1842 The New York Philharmonic was founded and is now the oldest orchestra in the U.S.
In 1845 Leonora was the First American grand opera by William Henry Fry.

In 1848 "Simple Gifts" (also known by its first line: "Tis the gift to be simple") is a shaker dance song which was composed by Elder Joseph Brackett.

In 1851 "Old Folks at Home", the Stephen Foster's biggest hit, was published as sheet music.
In 1853 One of his popular piano pieces was "The Last Hope" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, which was later arranged in several different hymns, including one composed in 1979: "They Who Seek The Throne Of Grace"
In 1859 "Dixie" was the biggest hit song of the era by Daniel Decatur Emmett. This became enormously popular in the South during the Civil War.

In 1860 First edition of Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes, one of the most popular collections of this late 19th century. One of the tunes was "Song of the Old Folks" (tune: Auld Lang Syne).

In 1862 the song "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Julia Ward Howe set to the tune: "Glory, Hallelujah".
Also this year a Shaker pacifist hymn called "A Prayer for the Captive" by Sister Cecilia De Vere, was reportedly sung at Shaker communities on the day of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral.
In 1867 "Mass in D" by John Knowles Paine was the first major work by an American to be performed in Europe.

In 1869 the hymn "Hymn of Peace" by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was performed at the National Peace Jubilee to commemorate the end of the Civil War.

In 1876 "Centennial Meditation of Columbia" was the official cantata, with a poem by Sidney Lanier and music by Dudley Buck was performed at the U.S. Centennial celebration.
Also, John Knowles Paine's Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 23 set the standard for the symphonic tradition in 19th century America.

In 1886 in the centennial celebration of The Stoughton Musical Society culminated with a performance of Haydn's oratorio, The Creation.

Also that year another major symphony "Symphony No. 2 in B flat, Op. 21" by George W. Chadwick.

In 1892 the song "After the Ball" by Charles K. Harris became one of the biggest hits of the 1890s.
In 1899 the song "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin is published and became the first major Ragtime hit.

I hope you have enjoyed this part of American Music history!

Best regards

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Making music in the USA

Monday 16 February 2015

The music since the XVII until the XIX century

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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