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ANNALS OF MUSIC IN AMERICA
_Annals of Music in America_
A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF SIGNIFICANT
MUSICAL EVENTS, FROM 1640 TO THE PRESENT
DAY, WITH COMMENTS ON THE VARIOUS
PERIODS INTO WHICH THE WORK IS DIVIDED
BY
HENRY C. LAHEE
[Illustration]
BOSTON
MARSHALL JONES COMPANY
MDCCCCXXII
COPYRIGHT, 1922
BY MARSHALL JONES COMPANY
PRINTED OCTOBER, 1922
THE PLIMPTON PRESS · NORWOOD · MASSACHUSETTS
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PREFACE
The object of this book is to give as complete a record as possible of
the beginning and progress of music in the United States of America.
The first things recorded are regarded as important. Hence such items as
the printing of the first book on music, the importation of the first
pipe organs, the establishment of the early musical societies are
recorded, while similar events of a more recent date are of no special
importance.
The first performance of significant works--operas, oratorios,
symphonies and other choral and orchestral works--are chronicled as
carefully as possible; also the first appearance in America of noted
musicians.
It has been practically impossible to find accurate data about the works
of the older composers,--Haydn, Mozart and others, for while there are
many programs in which their names are mentioned the work played is
seldom specified (see Mr. O. G. Sonneck's "Early Concert-Life in
America"), and one must wait until the period arrives in which the work
performed is specified. Probably some of the works mentioned had earlier
performances by small organizations but the performances recorded here
are in all probability the first adequate ones.
Among the items recorded are some which cannot be regarded as marking
the musical progress of the country, and yet are items of musical
interest;--the first performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and of
"America" do not mark any progress and yet are historic events.
The establishment of Gilmore's Band and Sousa's Band are items of
interest rather than of educational progress.
In compiling this work such newspapers as are available have been
consulted, also the programs of the leading choral and orchestral
societies. Valuable help has been gained from the excellent works of Mr.
Oscar G. Sonneck, Mr. E. H. Krehbiel, Mr. Philip Goepp, Mr. George P.
Upton, Allston Brown and other writers on the American stage, and above
all from the admirable notes of Mr. Philip Hale in the programs of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra. It would be ungracious to close this preface
without acknowledging with gratitude the valuable assistance of Miss
Barbara Duncan of the Boston Public Library.
HENRY C. LAHEE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
Preface v
I. 1640-1750 1
II. 1750-1800 5
III. 1800-1825 14
IV. 1825-1850 20
V. 1850-1875 36
VI. 1875-1890 64
VII. 1890-1900 95
VIII. 1900-1921 117
Index of Compositions 193
Miscellaneous Items 280
ANNALS OF MUSIC IN AMERICA
_Annals of Music in America_
CHAPTER I
1640-1750
The Annals of Music in America during the first hundred years contain
very little that would seem to be of any importance to the musicians of
today. Nevertheless it is as interesting to note the beginnings of music
in this newly settled country as to watch the appearance of the baby's
first tooth.
The first settlement at Plymouth took place in 1620, and we find that in
1640 the colonists were already busy with the printing press in
Cambridge, Mass., and the second book which came from the press was a
reprint of an English Psalm book, printed under the title of the Bay
Psalm Book. This was not an original work, but its production shows that
music was already a living problem, and was even then part of the life
of the colonists.
Practically nothing more of note happened until the importation of the
first pipe organ, in 1700. This was quickly followed by other similar
instruments in different parts of the country, and even by the building
of organs by Americans, the first being by John Clemm in New York, which
contained three manuals and twenty-six stops, and the next by Edward
Bromfield in Boston. Bromfield's organ had two manuals and 1200 pipes,
but was not completed when he died in 1746.
The early history of music in New England, as handed down to us by
writers on the subject, seems to have consisted chiefly of church
singing, concerning which there were many controversies. The early
composers of New England were mainly occupied in composing psalm tunes,
and in teaching singing schools.
The accounts of secular music come chiefly from Charleston, S. C., at
which place many musicians entered this continent after visiting the
West Indies. In fact, the first song recital on record in America took
place at Charleston in 1733, while Boston had a concert in 1731 and
Charleston had one in 1732. Charleston also claims the first performance
of ballad opera on record in America (1735).
It must not, however, be supposed that New England had no secular music.
The concert above mentioned goes to show the contrary. Also there is a
record of small wind instruments, such as oboes and flageolets, being
brought to Boston for the purposes of trade--possibly with the idea that
New England shepherds might play to their sheep, as shepherds in other
countries are supposed to do.
We know that every farm had its spinning wheel and that clothes were
made of the homespun woollens, but neither historian nor poet has ever
pictured a New England shepherd with the shepherd's pipe. Imagination
has not so far run riot.
Music was in a very elementary stage during the first hundred years. The
country was sparsely populated, and music depends on the existence of a
community. Even in 1750 the cows, according to tradition, were still
occupied, during their daily peregrinations, in laying out the streets
of the future city of Boston,--a city which was destined to be one of
the leaders in matters musical.
NOTE. _When a work is mentioned as "given" or "played" or
"presented," it means the first performance in America.
When "produced" or "production" or "première" is used the
first public performance anywhere is indicated._
1640. The "Bay Psalm Book" published, first American book of
sacred music. The second book printed in America.
1700. The first pipe organ to reach America from Europe was placed
in the Episcopal Church at Port Royal, Va. About 1860 it was
removed to Hancock, and later to Shepherdstown, W. Va.
1712. First practical instruction book on singing in New England,
published by John Tufts of Newbury, Mass.
1713. First pipe organ brought into New England presented to
King's Chapel, Boston, by Thomas Brattle. (Now in St. John's
Chapel, Portsmouth, N. H.)
1720. First singing societies established in New England.
1716. First mention of the importation of flageolets, hautbois and
other instruments, by Edward Enstone, of Boston.
1722. A playhouse existed near the market place, Williamsburg, Va.
The first theatre known to exist in America.
1728. A pipe organ placed in Christ Church, Philadelphia.
1731. Dec. First concert recorded in Boston, given at the rooms of
Mr. Pelham, near the Sun Tavern.
1732. April. A concert given for the benefit of Mr. Salter, at the
Council Chamber, Charleston, S. C.
1733. A pipe organ placed in Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., being
the second organ in New England.
1733. Feb. 26. First song recital recorded in America, given at
the playhouse in Queen St., Charleston, S. C.
1735. Feb. 8. First performance of ballad opera on record in
America--"Flora, or Hob in the Well"--given at the Courtroom,
Charleston, S. C.
1735. July 1.--1794. Dec. 25. James Lyon, psalmodist. Probably the
second American composer.
1736. Jan. 12. The first concert recorded in New York City, given
for the benefit of Mr. Pachelbel. (Probably not the first
concert given in that city.)
1737. First Pipe Organ completed in America, built by John Clemm,
and placed in Trinity Church, New York City. Three manuals,
twenty-six stops.
1737. Sept. 11--1791. May 9. Francis Hopkinson. The first American
poet-composer.
1742. Moravian settlement established in Bethlehem, Pa. Became
noted in musical matters.
1742. June. First Singstunde held at Bethlehem, Pa. Eighty people
present.
1743. Records of this date show that two organs existed in the
Moravian Church, Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa., and that stringed
instruments were used in the services, also that instruments
(violin, viola da braccio, viola da gamba, flutes and French
horns) were played for the first time in the Moravian Church,
Bethlehem, Pa.
1745-6. The first pipe organ built in New England, in Boston, by
Edward Bromfield. Two manuals and twelve hundred pipes.
Bromfield died in 1746 before completing the instrument.
1746. Oct. 7. William Billings, First New England composer,
organizer of singing societies, etc. Billings died Sept. 29,
1800.