A 2d Collection of Sacred Music (John Foster)
General information
Description of contents
John Foster's second book, A 2d Collection of Sacred Music, Consisting of Anthems, Psalms & Hymns consists of six strophic metrical psalm tunes (with texts from the 'Old Version'), two strophic hymn tunes and one set-piece (a through-composed setting of verses from the metrical 'Old Version' Psalm 89, The heavens are thine and still have been, which is apparently the 'anthem' referred to by the book's title). The Hymn Tune Index does not cite any of the eight psalm or hymn tunes as having been published in known pre-1820 sources other than this collection.
Details of publication
Publication date and place: 1818 by S. Knapton in York.
While the book itself is not dated, a date of publication either late in 1818, or possibly early in 1819, is indicated by an advertisement on p2 of the York Herald on 7 November 1818, which described Foster's first book, Sacred Music, as published 'this day', and stated that the second book would be 'sent to press immediately. The advertisement also emphasised the intentionally flexible scoring of Foster's works:
NEW MUSIC.
THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED.
A COLLECTION of SACRED MUSIC, consisting of ANTHEMS, PSALMS, and HYMNS, composed and respectfully dedicated, by permission, to the Right Hon. the Earl of Scarbrough, by JOHN FOSTER, of High Green House, near Sheffield. Book the First, price 10s. 6d.
The several Pieces comprised in this Publication are arranged in Score for Four Voices, with an Accompaniment for the Organ or Piano Forte; also in Parts, for a full Band: They are composed in a style suitable for Country Choirs, or private Performance on Sunday Evenings, &c. and are intended to take a medium between the regular Cathedral Music and the usual Parochial Psalms. In Churches and other Places where there is no Band, they may be Sung independently of Instruments.
Mr. Foster begs leave to thank his numerous Subscribers, and to inform them, that their Copies are now ready for delivery at Mr. Knapton’s Music Warehouse, Coneystreet, York; Mr. Mather’s, Sheffield; Miss Bradley’s, Chesterfield; Mr. Sheardown’s, Doncaster; Miss Wilson’s, Rotherham; Mr. Greaves’s, Barnsley; Mr. Fox’s, Pontefract; Mr. Muff’s, Leeds; Mr. Phillips’s, Wakefield, Mr. Whitley’s, Halifax; and at the Music Shops in Manchester, Stockport, &c.
The great encouragement this Work has received, induces Mr. F. to proceed in the publication of a Second Number, which will be sent to press immediately.
A further note printed after the list of subscribers in Foster's first book, Sacred Music, reiterates his intention to publish the second book imminently:
Mr. FOSTER begs to return thanks to his numerous Subscribers: he hopes that none will be offended should their Names be accidentally omitted. The very flattering support afforded to this Work, encourages him to proceed in the publication of a second Number, which will be sent to press immediately.
The title page of A 2d Collection of Sacred Music describes it as 'Respectfully Dedicated, by Permission, to The Rt Honble the Earl of Scarbrough' (i.e. Richard Lumley-Saunderson, 6th Earl of Scarbrough
), and notes that the composer was 'of High Green House, near Sheffield'. The book's price is given on the title page as 10s 6d (the same price as the composer's first book) and publication details are given as 'YORK, Printed & Sold by S. Knapton, Coney Street, & to be had of all the Principal Music Sellers in the United Kingdom.'
List of works
| Pages | Description | Text |
|---|---|---|
| 1-7 | Hymn. | Grateful notes and numbers bring |
| 8-12 | Psalm 96. Verses 9, 10, 11, 12, Old Version. | Fall down and worship ye the Lord |
| 13-19 | Psalm 50th Old Version. | The God of Gods, the Lord |
| 20-24 | Psalm 130th | Lord, unto thee I make my moan |
| 25-33 | Psalm 47. Old Version. | Ye people all with one accord |
| 34-35 | Psalm 23. Old Version. | My shepherd is the living Lord |
| 36-45 | Psalm 106. Verse 1. & Psalm 105. Verses 2. 3. Old Version. | Praise ye the Lord, for he is good |
| 46-58 | Anthem. Psalm 89, Verses | The heavens are thine and still have been |
| 59-63 | Hymn. | Glory be to God on high |
Works at CPDL
| Title | Year | Page | Genre | Subgenre | Vo. | Voices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glory be to God on high | 1818 | 59-63 | Sacred | Hymns | 4 | SATB |
| My shepherd is the living Lord | 1818 | 34-35 | Sacred | Hymns | 4 | SATB |
| The God of Gods, the Lord | 1818 | 13-19 | Sacred | Hymns | 4 | SATB |
External links
- Hymn Tune Index details for source FostJSM2