Sources & Information by Martin Pearlman
The information on these pieces below is from 1996-1999, the time of the research and CD release of Boston Baroque's recording on Telarc International. Most of these pieces and their timings are from that CD. Timings on earlier recordings are sometimes slower.
References to manuscripts refer to the collection at the Moravian Music Foundation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, except where there is a specific reference to the Moravian archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The grouping below into three Lovefeasts follows the order of the Boston Baroque CD.
LOVEFEAST FOR CHRISTMAS
1. Hymn, "Freuen wir uns" - 1:26"
Very early Unitas Fratrum hymn. Translated in 16th century to German from Czech original.
Tune and German text by Michael Weisse & appeared in 1531 hymn book.
Tune based on Bohemian melody from previous century.
In Moravian Book of Worship, 1995.
2. Peter, Johann Friedrich - "Der Herr ist mein Theil"
Choir SSAB, 1 flute, solo cello, strings, organ - Bb major Andante vivace, 1'30".
"Violone" in score probably = cello.
Piece for the day of rest between Good Friday and Easter, Great Sabbath, April 11, 1789.
Setting of Lamentations 3:24, which was "watchword" for that day.
In one manuscript version, Peter writes an extra phrase of music at the end, in order to add a New Testament verse appropriate to Easter. Even though the piece is short, the extra music sounds extraneous, and, for that reason, we followed a reliable manuscript in which it is omitted.
MS score and parts, Herbst Collection 364.3 & B-250.2.
Edition (Hinshaw Music Co, Chapel Hill, NC): vocal score; score & parts also available.
[The MS score in Bethlehem has SATB choir]
3. Dencke, Jeremiah - "Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn"
Soprano, strings, organ - Bb major, cut time, c. 1'40".
Magnificat text, Luke 1:46-47. Similar to Magnificat tune.
Manuscript full score and parts in Bethlehem, PA.
Edition (Peters): full score.
4. Peter, Johann Friedrich - "Es ist ein köstlich Ding"
2 sopranos, strings, organ - Eb major, Andante, 2'00".
Text: Hebrews 13:9
Composed Nazareth, PA, 1772.
MS score and parts.
Edition: H. W. Gray Co. (Belwin), vocal score.
5. Hymn, "Join We All with One Accord" - 1'39"
Original text is from 15th century.
Translated from Czech into German by Michael Weisse for 1531 hymnal.
Tune uses Gaudeamus Pariter by Bishop John Horn (Jan Roh), 1544 hymnal.
Weisse & Roh visited Martin Luther. Luther referred to Weisse as "a good poet, with somewhat erroneous views on the Sacrament."
Entered American Moravian repertory with 1969 Moravian hymnal, but Moravians had access to European hymnals in 18th century.
6. Michael, David Moritz - "Hail, Infant Newborn"
Choir SATB, strings, organ - Bb major, 1'04".
Christmas anthem. Uses one phrase "Star Spangled Banner" ("To Actaeon in heaven").
MS parts only: surviving parts are vocal bass, strings, organ.
Soprano is from organ part; inner voices reconstructed by Karl Kroeger.
Edition (Brodt Music Co, Charlotte, NC-#1012): vocal score.
7. Antes, John - "Loveliest Immanuel"
Soprano, strings, organ - Bb major, Andantino, 2'10".
Printed in vocal score by Christian Latrobe in early 19th century.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
Instrumental parts in Bethlehem, PA.
8. Peter, Simon [poss. by J. F. Peter] - "Ich will euch wie ein Thau seyn"
Choir SSAB (or SATB), strings, organ - F major, Andante, 1'50".
Organ part is in Eb (transposing)
Text from Hosea 14:5.
Composed at Bethlehem, PA for May 4, 1782.
MS score in Herbst Collection S-532.
Edition: none, but full score is in thesis of Donald M. McCorkle (former director of Moravian Music Foundation).
9. Schulz, Johann A[braham] P[eter] - "Thou Child Divine"
2 sopranos (or sop. & tenor), choir SATB, strings, organ - A major, 2'10"
MS score in Bethlehem, PA.
Edition (Brodt Music Co, Charlotte, NC-#1000): vocal score (also in old Latrobe ed.).
Christmas piece.
Schulz was not Moravian but this piece was popular with them.
Although Schulz in Germany, this is in English (published in England by Latrobe).
10. Hymn, "Zeige mir dein Angesicht" - 1'30"
Hymn by John Comenius c. 1660. Printed in "Choralbuch" of C. Gregor, 1784.
In Moravian Book of Worship, 1969.
LOVEFEAST FOR LENT
11. Hymn: "Heiliger Herre Gott" (called Eisleben) - 1'50"
Pre-Reformation melody, based on early medieval antiphon.
Adapted as hymn tune by 1790.
Words in 1531 Moravian hymnal.
German trans. by Zinzendorf (18th century) & printed in C. Gregor, "Choralbuch," 1784.
Moravian Book of Worship, 1995
12. Kellner, Johann, Peter / arr. by Gregor, Christian - "Ach, Schönster unter allen"
2-voice soprano choir, strings, organ - C minor, Adagio, 5'01"
Gregor's arrangement of organ chorale prelude by Kellner.
Kellner was organist and possibly student of Bach.
For Lent or funeral.
Performed in the American Peace Celebration of 1783.
MS: full score, Herbst Collection 21.2.
Edition (Brodt Music Co.- #1003): vocal score.
This MS 21.2 in Herbst Collection also includes an anonymous version of this piece on the text "O haupt voll Blut und Wunden." It is in B minor for SSAB choir, flute, bassoon, strings, organ.
13. Herbst, Johannes - "Suchet sein Antlitz"
Choir SATB, strings, organ - C major, Bedachtsam, 1'51".
Written for service of May 4, 1785 in Germany.
Based on "Losung" or watchword for that day.
Text: Psalms 105:4 & 34:5 (German 34:6).
MS: full score in Herbst Collection 313.2.
Edition (Carl Fischer): vocal score.
14. Gambold, John - "Die mit Thränen säen"
Soprano, choir SSAB, strings, organ - C minor, Larghetto, c. 2'36"
Text: Psalms 126:5.
Manuscript full score in Herbst Collection (282.3).
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
15. Hymn, "Lob Gott getrost mit Singen" - 0'59"
Strong hymn reflecting time of persecution for Moravian church.
Tune adapted from popular song of late 15th century by Bishop John Horn (Jan Roh).
Appeared in German hymnal of 1544.
In Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Brudergemeine (German Moravian hymnal, 1967)
16. Geisler, Johann Christian - "O lieblicher Heiland, du mein Versöhner"
2 sopranos, strings, organ D major, 2'29".
MS full score in Herrnhut, Germany.
Edition (Hinshaw Music, Chapel Hill, NC): score and parts.
17. Dencke, Jeremiah - "Gesegnet bist du, sein Volk"
Choir SSAB, strings, organ - Bb major, Affetuoso, cut time, timing c. 1'20".
Written for Lovefeast of the Single Sisters, May 4, 1781 on Losung for that day.
Anonymous German text.
Manuscript parts in Herbst Collection (S 24.3).
Edition: None.
18. Herbst, Johannes - "Ich gehe einher in der Kraft des Herrn"
Soprano, strings, organ - F major, Andante, 2'44".
Text: Psalms 71:16 - Losung (watchword) for May 4, 1773.
MS: full score in Herbst Collection 154.1.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): full score.
19. Hymn, "Herz und Herz vereint zusammen" - 1'51"
Text by Nicolaus Ludwig, Graf von Zinzendorf (1725).
Tune of "O du Liebe meiner Liebe," hymn by Johaness Thommen (c. 1735), early years of Renewed Church.
Based on folk song "Sollen nun die grünen Jahre."
LOVEFEAST OF THANKSGIVING
20. Hymn, "Kommt, danket dem Helden" - 1'14"
Confession hymn from Herrnhut, c. 1740.
In Choralbuch of C. Gregor, 1784.
In Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Brudergemeine (German Moravian hymnal, 1967).
21. Gregor, Christian - "Das ist ein Tag"
Choir SSAB, (strings poss. doubling choir), organ - G major, Lebhaft, 0'46"
From the American Moravians' peace celebration of 1783.
First organized July 4 Independence Day celebration.
Music for celebration was a lovefeast compiled by J. F. Peter.
Text: Psalms 118:24.
MS score and parts.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
22. Peter, Johann Friedrich - "Ich will immer harren"
Soprano, strings, organ - G major, c. 1'28".
Based on Psalm 71:14.
Written for lovefeast of the Boys Choir, Jan. 12, 1783, Salem, NC.
Perhaps soloist was a boy.
MS score and parts. No edition.
23. Peter, Johann Friedrich - "Ich danke Dir ewiglich"
Choir SSAB, strings, organ - D major, 1'58".
Based on the Losung, or watchword, for August 29, 1778.
Text: Psalms 52:9.
It has colla parte instruments, unlike his other pieces.
MS parts in Herbst Collection B-113.2.
Edition (Hinshaw Music, Chapel Hill, NC): vocal score.
24. Geisler, Johann Christian - "Die Frucht des Geistes ist Liebe"
Choir SSAB, flute, strings, organ - A major, Angenehm & fröhlich, c. 2'13".
Text: Galatians 5:22.
MS full score & parts: Herbst Collection 358.2.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
25. Müller, Georg Gottfried - "O Sing, All Ye Redeemed"
Choir SATB, 2 flutes, 2 trumpets, strings (w/ 2 violas), organ - 3'52"
D major, Moderato/Allegro
For Christmas. Original in English.
MS vocal and instrumental parts, Herbst Collection S-273.
Edition (Hinshaw Music, Chapel Hill): vocal score.
26. Dencke, Jeremiah - "Mein Herz dichtet ein feines Lied"
Soprano, strings, organ - Bb major, c. 2'14".
Text: Psalms 45:1-2.
MS score & parts.
27. Peter, Simon - "Siehe meine Knechte"
Soprano, double choir SSAB/SSAB, strings, organ - Eb major, cut time, 2'39".
Losung (watchword) for Nov. 17, 1803.
MS score & parts in Herbst Collection S-71.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
28. Peter, Johann Friedrich - "Ich will dir ein Freudenopfer thun"
Choir SATB, 2 horns, strings, organ - Eb major, Munter, 2'00".
Text: Psalms 54:6 (German 54:8). Losung for Dec. 26, 1787.
MS: score & parts in Herbst Collection 364.2.
Edition (Boosey & Hawkes): vocal score.
29. Hymn - Bechler, "Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord" - 0'57"
Often called "national anthem" of Moravian Church.
Text by John Swertner (1789). Originally different tune.
This popular tune by John Christian Bechler (c. 1812).
In Moravian Book of Worship, 1995.
TWO HYMNS PLAYED BY TROMBONE CHOIR
30. Hymn, "Herr und Ältster deiner Kreuzgemeine" - 1'05"
In Choralbuch der Brüdergemeinde, 1784.
Has various verses by Gregor (1778), Zinzendorf (1748), Swertner (1789).
Tune: Herrnhut, c. 1735, from folk song. In Gregor's Choralbuch (1784).
31. Hymn, "Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice" - 0'45"
Words by Henrietta Louis van Hayn (Herrnhut, 1776).
Tune put to English translation in edition c. 1790 by Latrobe (English Moravian).
In Moravian Book of Worship.
PIANO SOLO
32. Gambold, John - Rondo for piano
Piano solo - Bb major, c. 5"02".
Of small amount of Moravian purely instrumental music, most is anonymous.
This piece attributed to Gambold in a copy book.
Edition: Moravian Music Foundation, 1974, ed. by Karl Kroeger