Notes and Editorial Reviews
Most of the hymns on this recording were written in the 19th century or before, when Americans in general thought more about God than they do today. Our minds nowadays are occupied with other subjects. And yet, surprisingly, our greater familiarity with doubt may help us to hear these hymns more clearly than people in former times could have done. To us a hymn may stand out more vividly against the immensity of the surrounding doubt-filled silence. Faith is not something you have, it's something you do; the same can be said of art. As an act of faith or a work of art, a hymn exists in that uncertain moment between giving up and going on. A hymn is an inspired decision to go on. The hymns and spirituals on this recording are among the great
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discoveries faith has made about itself, through words and music that now belong to us all. For a period of about 250 years, from the arrival of the Puritans to nearly the end of the 19th century, the most pervasive musical form in America was the hymn. While Protestant hymns and Negro spirituals were certainly the predominant hymnody in America throughout this time, other denominational hymns were written and sung as well. The first hymnal for the Jewish congregation in Charleston, South Carolina was compiled in 1843 and the Shakers have given us some of the most beautiful and interesting religious songs that have been written in America. This recording was made at a live concert at Christ & St. Stephen's Church in New York City. Beautifully sung by the William Appling Singers, this recording will satisfy both the Americana scholar, the music lover and those of faith.
REVIEWS:
"No frills, no fuss. Just honest plain-spun hymn singing... It's a lovely program." (American Record Guide)
"In 27 selections...William Appling and his eponymous chorus explore a well-chosen selection of American folk hymns and spirituals...The 13-voice chorus sings them tunefully and...with just the right amount of idiomatic flavor..." (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
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Works on This Recording
1.
Lord, in Thy presence by Anonymous
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 7 Secs.
Language: English
2.
The Lord is My Shepherd by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 4 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: This setting of "The Lord is My Shepherd is set to the tune "Pisgah" attributed to J.C. Lory.
3.
Let us Cheer the Weary Traveler by Henry Thacker Burleigh
Performer:
William Appling (Organ)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 58 Secs.
Language: English
4.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 47 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Thi setting of "Come, Thou Fount of every blessing" is set to the Anonymous tune "Nettleton."
5.
Gospel Train by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 24 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: Theodore F. Seward (1877)
6.
Shall we gather at the river? by Robert Lowry
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1864; Brooklyn, New York,
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 57 Secs.
Language: English
7.
Watchman by Lowell Mason
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 46 Secs.
Language: English
8.
Hold on by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 44 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: William Appling and William McClelland (1999)
9.
We shall walk through the valley in peace by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 59 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: William Appling (1965)
10.
O When Shall I See Jesus by Anonymous
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 32 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: Benjamin Franklin White (1847)
This arrangement is titled "Morning Trumpet."
11.
Rise, shine, for Thy Light is a-comin' by Traditional
Performer:
Cynthia Richards Wallace (Soprano),
Karen Kreuger (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 38 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: John W. Work (1940)
12.
Welwyn by Alfred Scott-Gatty
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1902; England
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 6 Secs.
Language: English
13.
Poor Rosy by Traditional
Performer:
Jonathan Goodman (Tenor),
Mark Wagstrom (Baritone)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 31 Secs.
Language: English
14.
I've just come from the fountain by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 13 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: John W. Work (1940)
15.
Wondrous love by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 44 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: James Christopher
16.
Shining Shore by George Root
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1856; USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 38 Secs.
Language: English
17.
More love by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1876; New Hampshire, USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 52 Secs.
Language: English
18.
In mercy, Lord, incline thine ear by Abraham Binder
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
Language: English
19.
Some of these days by Traditional
Performer:
Emily Eyre (Mezzo Soprano),
Cynthia Richards Wallace (Soprano),
Thom Baker (Tenor)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 39 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: John W. Work (1940)
20.
The Old Ship of Zion by Traditional
Performer:
Jonathan Goodman (Tenor)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 2/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 11 Secs.
Language: English
21.
St. Peter by Alexander R. Reinagle
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1836; England
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 33 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: This tune is set to text by W. A. Dunkerly (John Oxenham) written in 1908 and titled "In Christ there is no East or West".
22.
Missionary Chant by Charles Zeuner
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834; Boston, Massachusett
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 25 Secs.
Language: English
23.
Inching Along by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 3 Minutes 22 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: This selection presents two arrangements in succession, the first by John W. Work (1940), the second by J. Rosamund Johnson (1925).
24.
Hurry on, my weary soul by Traditional
Performer:
Jane Gunter McCoy (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 2 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: Albert Christ-Janer, Charles W. Hughes, and Carleton Sprague Smith (1980)
25.
He's a mighty good leader by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Written: USA
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 1 Minutes 41 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Arranged: John W. Work (1940)
26.
Resignation by Traditional
Conductor:
William Appling
Orchestra/Ensemble:
William Appling Singers
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1835
Date of Recording: 02/26/1999
Venue: Live Christ & St. Stephen's Church, New York
Length: 3 Minutes 12 Secs.
Language: English
Featured Sound Samples
Gospel Train (Traditional)
Some of These Days (Traditional)
Sound Samples
Rise, shine, for thy light is a-comin'
I've just come from the fountain
Let us cheer the weary traveler
Come, thou fount of every blessing
What wondrous love is this: ?
My days are gliding swiftly by
In mercy, Lord, incline thine ear
Shall we gather at the river?
In Christ there is no east or west
Watchman, tell us of the night
He's a mighty good leader
My shepherd will supply my need
We shall walk through the valley
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