Robert Rutherford Drummond

“ It is not our purpose to consider in detail the various German hymn-writers in Pennsylvania, as the field is far too large, and besides the composers for the most part, were not inhabitants of Philadelphia. There are a few men, however, of sufficient importance to be considered, even though they lie somewhat without our field of operation. Perhaps the most picturesque figure in the history of American music in this century is Conrad Beissel of Ephrata Cloister. He not only evolved a new system of music, but was also the first composer of music in America. ”

“ Thus we are certain, that, in a few years that the people must have progressed rapidly in music, and probably now it was considered a necessary part of every young lady’s and young gentleman’s education. Music paper, too, is advertised by Hillegas. This may have been used in copying compositions of other writers as we know Hopkinson did, [132] or, perhaps, there were composers at that time of whom there is no record. The song-books, cantatas, and songs imported would be those in favor in London, as musical taste at this period in Philadelphia was a reflection of English taste. ”

“ It must not be thought that German music alone ruled in Philadelphia. During the French Revolution, especially, many refugees arrived in Philadelphia and concerts of French music were given and great enthusiasm was aroused among the American citizens. However, on looking over the whole century, German music seems to predominate over the music of other nations in Philadelphia. Musical taste in Philadelphia after the Revolution will compare favorably with the taste shown in Europe at the same period. ”

“ In 1683, moved by William Penn’s alluring proclamations of the glorious new world, as well as by the fact that freedom of conscience was granted in Pennsylvania to all, a band of German immigrants arrived in Philadelphia and founded Germantown. With the exception of the scholar, Francis Daniel Pastorious, there were no highly cultured men or women among them. These people were of the middle class, and were more interested in weaving and agriculture and religious salvation, than in the cultivation of the fine arts. ”

“ From the evidence already presented, it will probably be granted that, the German concert music which was found in Philadelphia in the early 18th century, was brought in rather by the English musicians than by the Germans. We find the taste for music in London reflected by the various music teachers, and by the actors who came to Philadelphia from London during the sixth and seventh decades. This English influence lasted until the War of the Revolution during which there was a period of quiescence. ”

“ This quotation may argue for the popularity and respect in which music was held at that time by at least some of the people. We find in this crude statement, that music was thought worthy of a position by the side of elocution, which has always held a high place in the minds of every people, and so we may be safe in believing that music had a place, and an important place, in Philadelphia, in the early history of that city.
Another correspondent states that:
“Women, like Instruments of Musick, require to be long used before their Sweetness or Discord are certainly discovered.” ”

“ As in every business there is some one ready to grasp an opportunity, so in the music business a man stepped forward to relieve the teachers of buying and selling. This man was Michael Hillegas, who in 1759 opened, what may be called, the first real music store in Philadelphia. ”

“ Were there men who could repair these instruments if they got out of order? By the end of the fifth decade, there were several men who could not only repair an organ, but also build one. Of these men Gustavus Hesselius is the most important, as he was the first spinet builder in America, having produced specimens as early as 1743, [55] and probably the first organ builder in Pennsylvania. It is claimed that he was the first organ builder in America, and in support of that claim an organ is mentioned as built by him for the Moravian Church at Bethlehem, Pa., in 1746. ”

“ Indeed, throughout the eighteenth century the greater part of the German immigrants landed at Philadelphia, and from there were distributed into other States. We should naturally expect, with so great a population of Germans in Philadelphia and the surrounding country, that these people would continually extend their influence, and constantly spread abroad their ideas of art, religion, music and literature. ”

“ The introduction of German concert music strange to say, evidently was not due to Germans, although the various German teachers of music may later have aided in popularizing the music of their native land. Too much credit cannot be given to the different music teachers from England, who inaugurated public concerts in Philadelphia, where the works of the greatest artists of Germany, England, and Italy were produced. ”

“ It would not only attract and civilize the wild Indians, but it would do much good in spreading the Gospel truths among the sects and others by attracting them. Instrumental music is especially serviceable here. Thus a well-sounding organ would perhaps prove of great profit, to say nothing of the fact that the Indians would come running from far and near to listen to such unknown melody, and upon that account might become willing to accept our language and teaching, and remain with people who had such agreeable things ”

“ We live in an age, when ’tis counted almost a scandal to be a Christian. Religion is stil’d Preciseness and Hypocrisy, and a strict Conformity to Truth and Virtue is imputed to be the Effect of Melancholy, a Distemper’d Imagination. ”

“ From this advertisement may be deduced many things. In the first place, such an inventory of stock would not be sneered at by a music dealer of the present day; we may be sure then that the people were musical and that there was a demand for the things advertised. We should suppose that violins and German flutes were the most popular instruments and were in great demand; while there was certainly more than one player—perhaps many—of the above, common flute, French horn, ’cello, and guitar; and of course there were organists and harpsichord players. ”

“ It can be said, then, with some degree of surety, that the performance of music by the early German settlers in Philadelphia was confined, in the province of music, to hymns.
In this department the Germans hold an important position; not only was their church music an essential part of their services, but the number of hymn-writers and the many editions of German hymn-books published in Philadelphia testify to the love which these new settlers had for church music. ”

“ Sonneck has published titles of forty-two works ascribed to Reinagle, [231] to which we have added several others some of which are still in existence. These compositions include sonatas, overtures, preludes, songs, opera music, adaptations, accompaniments, etc.
From all this evidence it will appear that Alexander Reinagle must have been a great force in music in Philadelphia, and did much to shape the taste of the people for good music—especially for German music, and may thus be called the greatest German American musician of that century. ”

“ The early immigration of Germans to Philadelphia increased to such an extent, that before the middle of the eighteenth century the English colonists became alarmed for fear that Pennsylvania might be alienated from the English crown, and be dominated by the German immigrants. ”

“ We have tried to show the gradual growth of musical taste in Philadelphia, especially the taste for German music. As before mentioned this taste was undoubtedly stimulated mostly by the English musicians, at least until the last period. In that period the English, and German musicians, seem to have worked in conjunction to keep up the standard set by their predecessors. ”

“ Händel, Abel, Stamitz, Schmidt; also the Englishman, Stanley, was a particular friend of Händel, and his music, as was all music of England at that time, must have been modeled after Händel’s; then there is Lord Kelley who studied music in Germany. We believe that the greater part of this music was brought to Hopkinson’s attention by the music-masters from London, and if that is so, it naturally follows that others of their pupils became acquainted with standard composers. ”

“ In point of time the next hymn-writers were the so-called “Hermits of Wissahickon,” a band of men and women steeped in German mysticism, and having a belief that the end of the world was soon to come and that their one love should be the Lord Jesus Christ; so on this account renouncing marriage as sinful. It was in this wilderness, beside the Wissahickon Stream about eight miles from Philadelphia, that this band of Pietists in the year 1694 took up [Pg 7] their abode, and from whence issued the strains of hymns, reminding one, in some instances of love songs rather than praises to God. ”

“ Although Michael Hillegas, probably for some time, had almost a monopoly of the selling of musical merchandize, it was not long before another firm usurped the position which Hillegas had held in the musical world, and apparently crowded him out of business, as his advertisements, after a short time, are few and gradually cease altogether. ”

“ Most of this business seems to have been in the hands of the English for with the exception of one more German Conrad Batis, who advertises among other things “a quantity of violins and violin strings,” [141] no other German music dealer has been discovered.
There is, however, one more event of importance to chronicle, before leaving the music dealers. It has been already stated that harpsichords and spinets were made in Philadelphia at an early period. It remained for John Behrent, a German, to add to the renown of Philadelphia in the realm of music. ”

“ Three years later David Tannenberger arrived in Philadelphia, a man whom many of his contemporaries conceded to be the greatest organ builder in America, but, as is usually the case, there is another claimant for this high honor, as will be seen later. ”

“ There was then in this decade an incipient appreciation of drama to which some music was oftentimes joined. What other music was there at this time? In 1750-4 Mittelberger says:
“The cultivation of music is rather rare as yet.... Some Englishmen give occasional concerts in private houses with a spinet or harpsichord.” [118]
Mittelberger’s statement concerning the cultivation of music is not quite true. ”

“ The number of instruments he plays at once, remind us of some of the street musicians of the present day.
“Mr. Victor, Musician to her late Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and Organist at St. Georges in London, lately arrived here, takes this method of acquainting the Musical Gentry in general, that he gives instructions on the Harpsichord, or Forte Piano, Violin, German Flute, etc., especially in the thorough Bass both in theory and practice, for that his pupils may soon come to a fundamental knowledge of that fine science. ”

“ He that having laid before him the several Parts of a Musical Instrument, can Unite them in their Places, and tune them to Harmony, merits the appelation of a Master in Musick and should be distinguished as such, as he that disposes Words into grammatical sentences, and eloquent Periods, is a Master of Language. ”

“ We, with four or five young officers of the regiment in barracks, drink as hard as we can, to keep out the cold, and about midnight sally forth, attended by the band, which consists of ten musicians, horns, clarinets, hautboys, and bassoons, march through the streets, and play under the window of any lady you choose to distinguish; which they esteem a high compliment. ”

“ As early as 1729 [121] a music teacher appeared in Philadelphia, while in 1749 [122] another member of the profession advertises for pupils. From now on this class of men increases, but there is noticeable lack of teachers with German names. The greater part of these men were English; a few French, Italians, and Germans being present also.
In 1755 appears an unique advertisement showing that some of the German music teachers were not dependent upon music alone for a livelihood. ”

“ Most pieces have a figured base, and are Italian, French, English trios, songs, and duets, arranged for the harpsichord, amongst them for instance ‘A Song in the Triumph of Hibernia,’ an ‘Air in Atalanta’ by Händel, and a famous ‘Water Piece’ by the same author. ”

“ The country was just recovering from the Thirty Years’ War, and the strength of the people was being expended in building up the homes, and improving the land made desolate during that fierce struggle. ”

“ The organ had the accompaniment of violins and flutes. The musicians were back in the gallery, so that none of them were seen.” One of the ministers “read some verses of a German hymn book, after which they were sung with excellent music.” [51]
Their style of music and manner of performing it must have been exceptionally good, as compared with the music of other churches, to have impressed so favorably such men, who, we may be sure, were quite different. ”

“ It will be seen by this programme that German music had its share of importance, and in later concerts the compositions of Mozart, Haydn, Händel, Bach, Pleyel, Abel, Stamitz, Schmittbauer, Heimberger, etc., were given. Undoubtedly the high grade of these concerts and the predominance of the works of German composers, was due to the musical taste of Reinagle.
[Pg 62]
It is not our intention here to give all the programs which were performed in Philadelphia during this period. Our intention is, however, to give new material which has hitherto not been published. ”