Make a Joyful Noise: American Psalmody, 1770-1840
Liner Notes   Cat. No. 80255     Release Date: 1996-01-01

Oregon State University Choir

Choral music is the bedrock of American music. Its roots lie in the hymns and fuging tunes which were the foundation of early Colonial religious and musical life. Their rediscovery and subsequent reappraisal has led to a genuine appreciation of their musical beauty and unquenchable vitality. Composers such as Ives, Cowell, and even Cage have acknowledged their musical significance by either directly or indirectly quoting them in their music.

The seventeen selections on this disc are drawn from the repertory of the New England school of composers, in whose hands this music achieved its full flowering. Chief among those represented is William Billings, undoubtedly the most well-known and accomplished of his contemporaries. Four of the selections bear his distinguished stamp: Chesterfield, a radiantly rapt and ecstatic hymn; The Dying Christian's Last Farewell, an enormously expressive meditation on death and resurrection; Washington, a virtuosic fuging tune of energetic splendor; and Richmond, set to a text inspired by the Song of Solomon, with suitably subtle erotic undertones.

Other highlights are Daniel Read's Providence, the anonymous setting of New Jordan, a work of simple beauty that speaks of the bliss that awaits the faithful after death, and M. Kyes's Crucifixion, word-painting of the highest order, encompassing an enormous expressive range. The arrestingly named Supply Belcher, nicknamed the "Handel of Maine," supplies An Anthem of Praise, and Heroism, set to a pounding rhythm that underscores its martial text. Amos Bull's Middletown, a buoyant resurrection hymn, brings the collection to a rousing conclusion.

These warm and stylish performances capture the simple but profound faith expressed in this justly rediscovered music. This disc is essential to anyone interested in the origins of American music and especially lovers of choral music. The accompanying 40-page booklet contains an extensive essay on the history of New England psalmody, complete lyrics, and a selected bibliography.

Oregon State University Choir

Make a Joyful Noise: American Psalmody, 1770-1840

MP3/320 $9.99
FLAC $9.99
WAV $9.99
CD $15.99

Track Listing

An Anthem of Praise
Supply Belcher
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Chesterfield
William Billings
Buy
Newburgh
Amos Munson
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Crucifixion
M. Kyes
Buy
Invitation
Jacob Kimball
Buy
Montague
Timothy Swan
Buy
Providence
Daniel Read
Buy
New Jordan
Anonymous
Buy
The Dying Christian's Last Farewell
William Billings
Buy
Washington
William Billings
Buy
Sunderland
Joseph Strong
Buy
Heroism
Supply Belcher
Buy
Richmond
William Billings
Buy
Macedonia
Oliver Holden
Buy
Ode On Martydom
Oliver King
Buy
Summons
Truman S. Wetmore
Buy
Middletown
Amos Bull
Buy