THE VOICE OF PRAISE; A COLLECTION OF MUSIC FOR THE CHOIR, SINGING SCHOOL, MUSICAL CONVENTION, AND THE SOCIAL CIRCLE. BY EDWARD HAMILTON. "Lift up to God the Voice of Praise, BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY OLIVER DITSON AND COMPANY. 277 WASHINGTON STREET. to render its complete mastery impracticable with the common opportunities. It is intended, in this work, to hold the just medium between that which calls for little effort on the part of the learner, and that which can only be taught or learned under unusually favorable circumstances. This course is likely to lead to a style of composition and arrangement which will exclude trivial melody and feeble harmony from the services of the church. Upon the whole, it has been the intention of the Editor to replenish his book with music distinguished for simplicity, strength and dignity; avoiding for the most part, on the one hand, the dry style of the even-timed choral, and, on the other, the chromatic sentimentality which serves, in so much modern psalmody, to transfer from the operatic stage to the church that which is sadly out of place in its new position, or to make a parade of the superficial learning of ambitious writers of psalmody, whose desire to shine is largely in excess of their good sense. The tunes and pieces in this work which are designated by this mark (*) I indolent or unfaithful teacher. Nor should it so far transcend ordinary talent as are composed by the Editor. Those designated thus (†) are the work of a distinguished German musician, now deceased. They have, in many instances, been rearranged. All of these are the property of the Editor. Other pieces are credited to the original authors, though most of them have been entirely rewritten. There are only about thirty tunes which belong wholly to others. These are familiar to the public, and are found in many collections. The Editor acknowledges his obligations to Dr. Mason and to "Mason, Brothers," N.Y., for the use of a number of popular tunes designed for congregational use. The music of this work, generally, will be found to be new, not merely in name and form, but in idea and style. It is not made up of street melodies or reminiscences of Ethiopian minstrelsy, but is written expressly as sacred music in a style suited to religious worship after an appropriate type. It is not difficult to learn, to perform or to comprehend; nor, on the other hand, is it trivial or commonplace. Its aim and purpose is to improve the taste of both hearer and performer, and to dignify the service of sacred song. Those who study and master it will have made progress in musical skill and taste, and those who listen to it will, it is hoped, derive benefit and edification therefrom. A collection of Part-Songs, for two, three, four and five voices, will be found in the forepart of the book, calculated for the singing school, the social gathering and the musical convention. These are, for the most part, new. A small portion are arrangements expressly for this work. They may be introduced into the singing class as auxiliary to musical education or as recreations in the intervals of severer study. The music, both sacred and secular, will be found sufficiently easy of performance. There are some pieces requiring study and perseverance. Music ought not to descend to the low level of inferior capacity to save trouble for the Care has been taken to make the Tenor an interesting part to sing, and there are a number of tunes having the leading melody in that voice. There are many instances of Trio passages for the three upper or three lower parts. These are real Trios, having motion in each part, and not mere Duetts with accompanying Bass. There are also Duetts which are not entirely a monotonous series of thirds or sixths. A teacher's index has been prepared for the purpose of pointing out such tunes as will serve for practical exercises in the earlier stages of study. The upper tunes on each page, especially in the Long, Shert and Common Metres, will be found the more easy. The lower tunes will suit the more advanced stage of instruction. The Anthems, Sentences and the like, are numerous, short, and generally not difficult. A few will require and reward persevering study. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by OLIVER DITSON & Co., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. |