Lost Music of Early America

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
When the subject of 18th-century music comes up, the United States is rarely considered any sort of creative artistic bastion. But this collection of Moravian religious music reveals how deep a fallacy it is to write off the U.S. as unimportant in vocal music history. The Moravian Church, founded on the cusp of the 14th and 15th centuries, would generate a distinctly musical worship tradition in the 1700s, just prior to the first Moravians settling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Once in Pennsylvania, the music flowed at a brisk pace, comprising significant sections of worship ceremonies. Composers included in this collection reflect two particular facets of the music: its harmonic simplicity and its abiding spiritual values. Of course, "simplicity" is an easily derogatory descriptive, but that is not at all the case here. These choral works display tremendous richness and depth, with traces of J.S. Bach's cantatas as well as works by Haydn and even Mozart, who developed on a parallel musical track to the Moravians. And there are pop smarts here, too: One of the songs even quotes the Star Spangled Banner, then a ditty for the masses. The period instruments create a fine chamber background--music that floats without weighting the vocals or tearing ears away. A second bonus CD contains an extended discussion with Martin Pearlman, whose discussion of the music is more than enlightening. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

Hymn: Freuen Wir Uns
Der Herr Ist Mein Theil
Meine Seele Erhebet Den Herrn
Es Ist Ein Kostlich Ding
Hymn: Join We All With One Accord
Hail Infant Newborn
Loveliest Immanuel
Ich Will Euch Wie Ein Thau Seyn
Thou Child Divine
Hymn: Zeige Mir Dein Angesicht
Hymn: Heiliger Herre Gott
Ach Schonster Unter Allen
Suchet Sein Antlitz
Die Mit Thranen Saen
Hymn: Lob Gott Getrost Mit Singen
O Lieblicher Heiland, Du Mein Versohner
Gesegnet Bist Du, Sein Volk
Ich Gehe Einher In Der Kraft Des Herrn
Hymn: Herz Und Herz Vereint Zusammen
Hymn: Kommt, Danket Dem Helden
Das Ist Ein Tag
Ich Will Immer Harren
Ich Danke Dir Ewiglich
Die Frucht Des Geistes
O Sing, All Ye Redeemed
Meine Herz Dichtet Ein Feines Lied
Siehe Meine Knechte
Ich Will Dir Ein Freudenopfer Thun
Hymn: Sing Hallelujah
Hymn: Herr Und Altster Deiner Kreuzgemeine
Hymn: Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice
Rondo For Piano

Tracks:

Martin Pearlman Discusses Music Of The Moravians

Amazon.com

When the subject of 18th-century music comes up, the United States is rarely considered any sort of creative artistic bastion. But this collection of Moravian religious music reveals how deep a fallacy it is to write off the U.S. as unimportant in vocal music history. The Moravian Church, founded on the cusp of the 14th and 15th centuries, would generate a distinctly musical worship tradition in the 1700s, just prior to the first Moravians settling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Once in Pennsylvania, the music flowed at a brisk pace, comprising significant sections of worship ceremonies. Composers included in this collection reflect two particular facets of the music: its harmonic simplicity and its abiding spiritual values. Of course, "simplicity" is an easily derogatory descriptive, but that is not at all the case here. These choral works display tremendous richness and depth, with traces of J.S. Bach's cantatas as well as works by Haydn and even Mozart, who developed on a parallel musical track to the Moravians. And there are pop smarts here, too: One of the songs even quotes the Star Spangled Banner, then a ditty for the masses. The period instruments create a fine chamber background--music that floats without weighting the vocals or tearing ears away. A second bonus CD contains an extended discussion with Martin Pearlman, whose discussion of the music is more than enlightening. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Beautifully crafted, captures the spirit.......2000-07-31

This recording truly seems to capture the spirit of the music. As someone who grew up singing in the Moravian church, this cd is a FIND. I listened with joy and surprise to this collection. The execution is tender, passionate, thoughtful. The balance between vocals and chamber orchestra is lovely, as close to perfect as one might imagine. I know many of the works on this cd as hymns and choral anthems, albeit in English. The uplifting musicality as an important part of worship was and continues to be part of the life of the Moravian church. The Moravian tradition embodies folk music in an authentic fashion, where the music of the church is truly the music of the people. Singing is a part of all activities within the church, providing a fabric through which fellowship and goodwill can flow. Somehow, the spirit of the context is captured here. The commentary by Martin Pearlman is quite informative and respectful. For individuals for whom music in the church has been more than an interlude in worship, for other Moravians out there who are far from the fold and can still hear the echoes, for those who are curious and want to listen to something slightly, pleasantly, off the beaten path, you will not be disappointed.

Absolutely Delightful!.......1999-07-30

This is very pretty music. It reminds me in some ways of Handel's Messiah, but it has a sound all its own. The voices and instruments are supurb. I really enjoyed the accompanying insert in the CD, which gives a small biography of all the composers. There are complete lyrics in English and German as well. I would love to get the sheet music and perform it!

beautiful music played with clarity and feeling.......1999-03-24

Martin Pearlman has done a great service through his research in the Moravian archives in North Carolina. His discoveries bring to us music of great beauty and seeming simplicity that masks subtle complexity. The quality of the orchestra and the soloists is outstanding

beautiful music played with clarity and feeling.......1999-03-24

This traditional Moravian music lives today!.......1998-12-07

I just heard the Christmas section on PBS radio. "Lost music"? As one raised in the Moravian tradition, I can sing along with some of these chorales in English. Why? Because songs such as "Thou Child Divine" are sung every year at Christmas even today. I am ordering to see whether translations are provided. Also, to compare with other current reworkings of the classical Moravian composers. As a footnote, the Moravian Music Foundation publishes newly found works from the archives every two or three years. Thus many works are not lost, but newly mined.

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