For obvious reasons, it's a good morning for William Billings' Easter Anthem, performed back during 2011 by fans of shape note singing during the first annual Ireland Sacred Harp Convention in the city of Cork. These conventions are held every year in Cork and Easter Anthem is a staple, but the audio on the first year's version was especially good.
Billings (1746-1800) generally is recognized as America's first choral composer. Nearly all of his compositions were in 4-part harmony and intended for a cappella singing.
As the years passed, his work fell into disfavor and was largely forgotten by the mainstream. But it survived in large part because of its inclusion in old song books like Sacred Harp, used by fans of shape note singing.
Several of his pieces by now have been mainstreamed and arranged for conventional choral groups. But this is the way they were intended to be sung --- in the most democratic manner. The arrangements don't work unless everyone participates. Happy Easter!
1 comment:
How nice to hear this choral favorite on Easter Sunday morning! I was introduced to William Billings while singing in the Simpson College choir under the direction of Professor David Nott over fifty years ago. He told the choir that Billings, a tanner by trade, was an odd, colorful character, one-eyed and with a short leg. Billings is considered one of our nation's first composers. His "Chester" was regarded a national anthem during our Revolutionary War. One of his works, a canon (round), has long been my favorite: "When Jesus Wept"
Thanks for sharing the composer's "Easter Anthem" on this Easter Sunday.
Post a Comment