Gems of Exquisite Beauty: How Hymnody Carried Classical Music to America

In the decades leading up to the Civil War, hymn tunes from European classical music were widely popular in the United States, leading to the adaptation practice of setting classical compositions to psalms and hymns. Gems of Exquisite Beauty is the first in-depth study of this practice, its artistic achievements, and its place in nineteenth-century American musical life. It traces the contributions of pioneering figures and the impact of bestsellers like the Handel and Haydn Society Collection, which helped turn Lowell Mason into America's most influential musician.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the decades preceding the Civil War, most Americans likely encountered European classical music primarily through hymn tunes. Hymnody emerged as the most beloved and commercially successful genre during the antebellum period in the United States, driven by an insatiable demand for fresh melodies to sing. This pursuit led to a remarkable phenomenon that has largely faded from memory today. In their quest for new material, editors scoured the works of renowned classical composers, extracting hundreds of tunes to set as arrangements for psalms and hymns. While a handful of these tunes remain popular today, with millions of people singing Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee to Beethoven and Hark, The Herald Angels Sing to Mendelssohn, they are mere remnants of one of the most distinctive trends in antebellum music-making.

Gems of Exquisite Beauty, the first comprehensive exploration of this adaptation practice, its artistic accomplishments, and its significance in nineteenth-century American musical life, seeks to shed light on this forgotten chapter. Author Peter Mercer-Taylor delves into the contributions of pioneering figures such as Arthur Clifton and the profound impact of bestsellers like the Handel and Haydn Society Collection, which propelled Lowell Mason to become America's most influential musician. Through the narratives of these hymns and the individuals who brought them into existence, Mercer-Taylor unveils a vital aspect of the history of how the American public first encountered and creatively engaged with the rich musical traditions of Europe.

The popularity of hymnody during the antebellum era was fueled by several factors. Firstly, the religious significance of hymns played a crucial role in shaping the musical tastes of the time. Hymns were not just songs; they were expressions of faith and devotion, often used in religious services and gatherings. The emotional power and resonance of hymns resonated with the American public, making them an ideal vehicle for conveying spiritual messages.

Secondly, the commercialization of music in the nineteenth century played a significant role in the spread of hymn tunes. Publishers and music publishers actively sought to popularize hymns by publishing collections of them, making them readily accessible to a wide audience. The affordability of these collections, coupled with the widespread distribution of printed music, allowed individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in musical worship.

Furthermore, the influence of European classical composers on hymnody cannot be overstated. Many hymn tunes were inspired by the works of renowned composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Felix Mendelssohn. Editors and composers sought to incorporate the melodic richness and harmonic complexity of these composers' compositions into their hymns, resulting in a fusion of classical and religious elements.

The adaptation practice of setting classical compositions to hymn tunes was not without its challenges. While some composers embraced this practice, others viewed it as a dilution of their artistic vision. There were also concerns about the copyright and licensing issues associated with using copyrighted music in religious settings. However, the desire for new and innovative musical expressions outweighed these concerns, leading to the continued popularity of hymn tunes throughout the antebellum period.

In conclusion, the historical rise and fall of the adaptation practice of setting classical compositions to hymn tunes is a fascinating chapter in the history of nineteenth-century American music. Hymnody emerged as the most popular and commercially successful genre during this period, driven by an insatiable demand for fresh melodies and a desire to connect with European classical music. The contributions of pioneering figures, the impact of bestsellers, and the fusion of classical and religious elements all played a role in shaping this unique musical tradition. While a handful of these tunes remain popular today, they serve as a reminder of the rich musical heritage that emerged from the antebellum period and the enduring influence of European classical music on American musical life.

Weight: 714g
Dimension: 165 x 245 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190842796