Eighty Chorales, (Psalm and Hymn Tunes,) newly harmonized in four
parts, with Organ Accompaniment, by W. A. Best.
Innumerable collections of psalmody have appeared in this country, but few of them exhibit taste and judgment on the part of their editors. Most of them (especially those recently published) contain great quantities of modern rubbish, particularly the vulgar, ranting tunes used in Methodist and other Dissenting chapels; by far too many of which, in consequence of their appearing in collections, have found their way into the service of the Church, where they are quite at variance with the grave and solemn character of the true English ecclesiastical music. In some publications, which have appeared under the sanction of eminent names, the old tunes are clothed in new harmonies full of chromatic intervals, difficult of exe- cution, and out of keeping with the plain simplicity of the melodies. In the book before us we find neither of these faults. A large portion of the times are Lutheran chorales of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and most of the remainder have been recognized for generations as standard tunes, and used as such in our religions services; • many of them being by the greatest English ecclesiastical composers. In one instance only has the editor admitted a tune manufactured from a secular air; and has not done so happily, though the air is Gluck's. In regard to the harmony, it is obvious that, in the modern performance of the old chorales and psalm- tunes, the original arrangement of the vocal parts cannot be retained, be- cause the principal melody, anciently sung by the tenor, is now given to the soprano. But in remodelling those fine old harmonies, their style, spirit, and venerable simplicity, ought to be carefully preserved: and this has been accomplished by Mr. Best with skill and success. The volume, which is published at Liverpool, is correctly and handsomely brought out, and is a favourable specimen of the provincial musical press.
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