THE

Social Choir.

DESIGNED FOR

A CLASS BOOK, OR THE DOMESTIC CIRCLE.

CONSISTING OF

SELECTIONS OF MUSIC FROM THE MOST DISTINGUISHED AUTHORS,

AMONG WHOM ARE THE NAMES OF

MOZART, HANDEL, HAYDN, AUBER, BOIELDIEU, ROSSINI, BEETHOVEN, AND WEBER. WITH SEVERAL ORIGINAL PIECES OF MUSIC, BY THE EDITOR,

SOME OF WHICH ARE NOW PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

MOST OF THE MUSIC HAS BEEN ADAPTED TO POETRY NEVER BEFORE USED WITH MUSIC.

MANY BEAUTIFUL EXTRACTS HAVE BEEN MADE FROM

MRS. HEMANS, T. MOORE, BISHOP HEBER, DR. PERCIVAL, DR. T. GRAY, AND OTHERS.

HARVAKU
UNIVERSIT:
LIBRARY

*233

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835,

BY. CROCKER & BREWSTER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

PREFAC E.

It will be observed in the title page, that this collection of music is designed for a class book, or the domestic circle. The Editor has, for a long time, felt the need of such a collection, to use in his classes-as, in teaching music of the kind, he has always been under the necessity of using the blackboard; and there is evidently the same disadvantage in teaching the science and practice of music wholly from the blackboard, as would be felt in other branches of education. Many of the pieces contained in the work might be obtained, it is true, in the form of Piano sheet music, at any of our music stores, but at so great an expense, in comparison to the price of this volume, for the same quantity of music, that it has not been found practicable, or advisable, to introduce it into classes on that account.

This book will be found not less useful to those pupils receiving instruction on the piano forte, as all the music is arranged and adapted to that instrument. Great care has been used in selecting and adapting to the pieces, poetry of a strictly moral character; and on this account it will be a welcome visitor in every domestic circle. The music generally consists of a pleasing variety of Songs, Duetts, Trios, Quartettes; all of which are arranged with a Piano accompaniment. The names of many of the most distinguished masters will be found among the list of the composers, although it has been the editor's aim in the selection of this music, to introduce that of a pleasing, rather than that of a difficult character. There are a few pieces, however, sufficiently intricate for performers of an advanced stage in the art, among which may be named the following pieces:-The "Sea, the Sea." This is a song of its kind which has probably never been excelled, it would be called a brilliant gem from the pen of any author. The Chevalier Neukomm, a pupil of the great Haydn, is the composer." Morning its Sweets is Flinging," by Rossini, is a piece of music that to the musician's eye, forms a perfect model of gracefulness and beauty combined.—“My Sister Dear," by Auber, is of a very tender and pathetic character. The "Fisherman's Barcarolle," from Masaniello, every one knows is beautiful, who is capable of appreciating music at all. Several elegant extracts have been made from Mozart, and adapted to English words, by the editor; among which may be found a Duett,―The "Spells of Home," poetry by Mrs. Hemans. A Trio,-The "Bright Bird," poetry by Louisa Smith. Simplicity and uncommon beauty marks the style of this piece; it is from the Opera of the Zauberflote, one of Mozart's best efforts in that line of music, and deserves to be admired by every one. Among the less difficult, and, perhaps, to the general taste, the more pleasing music, may be found many well known and popular pieces, together with most of the pieces that have been performed at the Concerts given by the Editor; music which has often been inquired for, but as the greater part of it was new in its arrangement, has not been published till in the present volume. Much care has been bestowed in getting out this book, and the Editor earnestly hopes it may merit the approbation of the musical community.