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AMERICAN MUSIC RECORDINGS ARCHIVE
[AMRA]Roger Lee Hall, Director
One of the earliest American Christmas carols,
music by Edward French, 1761-1845
Available on AMRA Nos. 4 and 14
This is a diverse collection of music from a large private collection gathered over the past 50 years.
Sponsored by PineTree Productions, the American Music Recordings Archive [AMRA] is dedicated to providing American music of historical importance and interest to researchers, teachers, students, and listeners.
This archive contains well over 1,000 recordings of rare and out-of-print music, from live concerts, interviews with composers and musicians, studio recordings and extensive holdings of music collections and books.
It contains music on LPs, CDs, Audio tapes, Video tapes, and DVDs.
Copies of this music are available on request, upon payment of preparation fee and postage.
The Archive is especially strong in these areas:
- American composers and works
- American film music
- American Shaker music
- Music from early New England
- Vintage popular songs
These are a few sample radio specials from those in the AMRA archive:
Bernard Herrmann: His Film Music On Radio
Great American Songwriter Series:
Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, othersJazz On Screen - Movies and Television
Music in Old BostonIf you are looking for an American music program for your organization or your students at an educational institution, see the
The items listed below are representative of the AMRA holdings and are available for study or listening.
Please Read Carefully:
These CDs and DVDs are specially prepared for the American Music Recordings Archive.
Most items are for personal or educational use.
Some of the music may be available for commercial use, upon prior request and payment of a user fee.
Much of this music was recorded at different locations so the sound levels and quality will vary.
The music is performed by instrumentalists and singers from mostly original editions and also from modern day arrangements.Because of the special preparations involved, these conditions apply:
1. In the unlikely case of defects on a disc,
it will be replaced at no extra charge after the disc has been returned.2. A refund will not be given unless a disc cannot be replaced.
Inquiries are welcome about a specific American music recording not listed here, but there is no guarantee of its availability.
It is recommended that you write if you have any questions; or wish to request any recording not listed here which might be available.
Write to:
American Music Recordings Archive
Listen to sample music tracks and order AMRCA CDs at the
Now Available...
Essential American Recordings Survey
(1759 - 1959)A list of recommended recordings
from the archive of the
AMERICAN MUSIC RECORDINGS COLLECTION
To read the survey in four sections,
click on this link to
There are now twenty AMRA CD-Rs available,
with four new releases:Nos.12, 15, 16, 17
The following AMRA titles are sponsored by the
Society For Earlier American Music (SEAM):Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14
The following AMRA titles highlight music from New England:
Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15
Click on the links to go directly to each title...
1. Best of William Billings
2. Music by Four New England Composers: Dudley Buck, E. A. Jones, Charles Ives,
George W. Chadwick
3. American Choral Sampler
4. New England Song Treasury: From The Landing of The Pilgrims To World War I
5. Memorial Music for Three American Composers: Charles T. Griffes,
Samuel Barber, Randall Thompson6. Anniversary Tribute to Edwin Arthur Jones
7. A Conversation with Aaron Copland
8. An Interview with Virgil Thomson
9. Blended Together - Interviews with The Shakers
10. America in Song: American Revolution to World War I
11. Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes [New Release]
12. "Lincoln and Liberty" - Music From Abraham Lincoln's Era [New Release]
13. "A Toast" - Music of George Washington's Time14. Christmas Music From New England
15. New England Choral Sampler: From The Pilgrims To Peace [New Release]
16. Gentle Words - A Shaker Music Sampler [New Release]
17. Songs by Francs Hopkinson [New Release]
18. Bernard Herrmann on Radio
19. Henry Mancini On Radio
Remembering Radio: Great Songwriters and Singers
A Guide to Film Music: Songs and Scores
A Guide to George Gershwin
A Guide to Shaker Music - With Music Supplement
New England Songster
To order any of the above titles, go to the
Music Sewn Together
Are you interested in how music from the United States
has been stitched together from
many different fabrics and styles
over the past centuries?You can help keep it "stitched together" by joining this Internet group:
Society for Earlier American Music [or SEAM]
Poet Sidney Lanier
who wrote the poem for
"The Centennial Meditation of Columbia"
commissioned for the United Staes Centennial in 1876.
The complete cantata is recorded on AMRA No. 2.
Best of William Billings (1746-1800)
21 Tracks (Total Time = 70:45)
Music by America's first significant American composer of choral music.
This CD-R includes 15 original Billings pieces from his collections published between 1770 and 1794. The pieces include: CHESTER, DAVID'S LAMENTATION, MAJESTY, MODERN MUSIC, and THANKSGIVING ANTHEM.
Also two new compositions by Roger Hall based on texts by William Billings:
THE PLEASURES OF VARIETY and DEDICATION.In addition, there are several radio interviews with Roger Hall and David McKay about the music of William Billings on WGBH-FM in Boston on 7 November 1986.
For background on Billings, see Father of American Choral Music
AMRA No. 2:
Music by Four New England Composers: Buck, Jones, Ives, Chadwick12 tracks (Total Time = 62:37)
Music by four composers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including special commemorative works such as the Peace Jubilee hymn and the official U.S. Centennial Cantata by Dudley Buck; two glee club choruses composed for the Dartmouth College Glee Club by Edwin Arthur Jones; an Easter Carol by Charles Ives; and a major World War I era choral cantata by George Whitefield Chadwick.
I. Dudley Buck (1839-1909)
1. Festival Hymn -- composed for the World's Peace Jubilee in Boston in 1872.
2. Centennial Meditation of Columbia -- a cantata for United States Centennial in 1876, with a poem by Sidney Lanier - piano-vocal score, complete performance.
II. Edwin A. Jones (1854-1911)
3. Organ: Prelude and Fugue in G minor (1878)
4. Dartmouth Glee Club Chorus: "Praise Ye The Lord" (1874)
5. Dartmouth Glee Club Chorus: "Blessing and Glory" (1874)
6. Oratorio Chorus: "Hail! All Triumphant Lord" from Easter Concert (1890)See also New England Composer Series No. 1
III. Charles E. Ives (1874-1954)
7. Chorus: "Turn Ye, Turn Ye" (1890)
8. Chorus & Solo Quartet: "Easter Carol" (1892)
9. Soloist & Chorus: "The Collection" (1920)
IV. George W. Chadwick (1854-1931)
10. Organ Prelude: "The Star" from Noel (1909)
11. Chorale: "How Lovely Shines The Morning Star" from Noel (1909)
12. Choral Cantata: Land of Our Hearts (1918) -- piano-vcoal complete performanceSee also New England Composer Series No. 2
To order this CD, see the Society For Earlier American Music [SEAM]
24 tracks (Total Time = 66:28)
A survey of American choral music from the 1770s to the 1980s.
For track titles, see Society For Earlier American Music [SEAM]
New England Song Treasury -- From The Landing Of The Pilgrims To World War I
30 tracks (Total Time = 70:32)
Music from the singing of the Pilgrims to the World War I era, with music by William Billings, Daniel Read, Jeremiah Ingalls, Edward French, George Chadwick, Roger Hall and other composers.
For track titles, see
Society For Earlier American Music [SEAM]
Memorial Music for Three American Composers: Griffes, Barber, Thompson
13 tracks (Total Time = 51:48)
Music by Charles T. Griffes (1884-1920), Samuel Barber (1910-1981), and
Randall Thompson (1899-1984).For track titles, see
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM]
[NEW RELEASE]
Anniversary Tribute to Edwin Arthur Jones
Prepared by Jones biographer and editor, Roger Lee Hall,
for the 150th anniversary of the birth of E. A. Jones in 2003,
this CD features music recorded in live concerts during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.12 tracks (Total Time = 65:00)
Track Titles (All are World Premiere Recordings):
I. EARLY WORKS
1. Organ: Prelude and Fugue in G minor, Op. 10 (1878)
2. Glee Club Chorus: Praise Ye The Lord, Op. 4 (1874)
3. Glee Club Chorus: Blessing And Glory, Op. 6 (1874)
4. Trio For Strings, Op. 12a (1878)
II. SONG OF OUR SAVIOUR, Op. 14 (1881) - a cantata for
solo quartet, chorus, organ and orchestra [Nos. 5-10] -
World Premiere Concert Performance (1992)
5. Introduction: Orchestra
6. Air: How Beautiful Upon The Mountains
7. Chorale: Behold what matchless, tender love
8. Recitative & Air: O Lord/ If ye love me
9. S.A.T. Trio: Look unto me and be saved
10. Finale: Solo quartet, chorus, organ, orchestra
III. CHAMBER WORKS
11. String Quartet No. 2, Op. 22 (1887) - performed by The Kneissel Quartet at
Mrs. J.L. (Isabella Stewart) Gardner's home in Boston in 1889
12. The Farewell Waltzes, Op. 8b (1874) for solo pianoTo order this CDR, go to the
A DVD+R is available of the 150th birthday anniversary of Edwin Arthur Jones, presented by his biographer, Roger Hall. For more information, write to:
For more information about this composer, click on this link:New England Composer Series No. 1
Aaron Copland
A Conversation with Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
30 tracks (Total Time = 63:55)
The conversation with composer Aaron Copland took place at his home in Cortlandt, New York on 21 July 1980.
The interviewer was composer and musicologist, Roger Hall.
In this conversation Aaron Copland speaks about many topics, including his ballet score for APPALACHIAN SPRING and his arrangements of the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts." Also, his film scores for OF MICE AND MEN and OUR TOWN, and his admiration for Leonard Bernstein, Natalie Boulanger, and Serge Koussevitsy.
A portion of this Copland interview is included in the eBook:
A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores
See also:
Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers
An Interview with Virgil Thomson (1896-1989)
16 tracks (Total Time = 44:16)
This interview with composer Virgil Thomson took place at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland on 18 April 1979.
The interviewer was composer and musicologist, Roger Hall.
Virgil Thomson speaks about film music in general and in particular his scores for two Depression Era documentary films for Pare Lorenz:
THE PLOW THAT BROKE THE PLAINS (1936) and THE RIVER (1937).Thomson mentions his folk hymn arrangements,
especially RESIGNATION ("My Shepherd will supply my need").He also discusses his music for the Robert Flaherty's documentary film LOUISIANA STORY (1948), for which he received the first Pulitzer Prize for a film score.
In addition, Thomson also talks about his score for his only feature film, THE GODDESS (1957).
A portion of this Thomson audio interview is included as a Special Feature on the Naxos DVD with two documentary films:
THE PLOW THAT BROKE THE PLAINS and THE RIVER
A transcript of the Thomson interview is included in this reference book:
A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores
Blended Together -- Interviews with The Shakers
30 tracks (Total Time = 44:46)
This includes rare interviews with Shaker sisters from Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine, and has examples of their singing.
Complete track listings at CD and DVD Releases
For information about the DVD, The Shakers On Television, click on this link:
An early edition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
[Recorded on AMRC Nos. 11-12, 15]
America in Song, Volume 1: From The American Revolution To World War I
Featuring music from 1768 to 1918, performed by various artists.
32 tracks (Total Time= 74:21)
I. The American Revolution (6 tracks)
II. New England Singing Masters (5 tracks)
III. The Constitution and Federalism (5 tracks)
IV. War of 1812 (2 tracks)
V. Westward Expansion (3 tracks)
VI. Shaker Spirituals (4 tracks)
VII. Sacred Choruses (3 tracks)
VIII. Temperance Hymn (1 track)
IX. Songs of the 1890s (2 tracks)X. World War I (1 track)
For track titles, see
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM]
[NEW RELEASE]
AMRA No. 11:
Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes20 tracks = 46:10
Selections from one of the most popular choral music collections from 19th century America, including patriotic songs, New England singing masters, and hymns and anthems, performed by The Old Stoughton Musical Society -- the oldest choral society in the U.S.A.
For track titles, see
In Honor of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
(1809 - 2009)
AMRA No. 12:
"Lincoln and Liberty" -- Music from Abraham Lincoln's Era
A collection of 19th century music heard during Abraham Lincoln's lifetime and just beyond, including eight World Premiere Recordings, performed by various choruses and ensembles.
Julia Ward Howe
This CD-R includes original versions of
"John Brown" (aka: John Brown's Body)
and
"Battle Hymn of the Republic"For a complete list of music tracks and
information about the accompanying Listener's Guide,
go toTo order this CD-R, go to the
A DVD-R is available of with two cable television programs in the series, IN CONCERT:
1. Music by Stephen Foster -- about the songs of Stephen Foster and performances of his rarely heard Civil War era hymns.
2. 200 Years of Music in Stoughton -- an exhibit and concert from the 200th anniversary of the Old Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest choral society in the United States, founded in 1786.
For information how to order the DVD-R:
In Concert -- Music From Old Stoughton
write to:
"A Toast"-- Music of George Washington's Time
Original and arranged music from the age of George Washington, recorded at several live concerts, including a 250th anniversary tribute concert in 1982 to George Washington and Franz Joseph Haydn, both born in 1732.
1. +The Liberty Song -- words: John Dickinson, 1768
2. +Father and I Went Down to Camp -- tune: Yankee Doodle/ words: Edward Bangs, 1776
3. +Chester -- words & music by William Billings, 1778
4. +Welcome, Mighty Chief, Once More -- 1789
5. A Toast -- Francis Hopkinson, 1778
6. Beneath a Weeping Willow's Shade -- Francis Hopkinson, 1788
7. +My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free -- Francis Hopkinson, 1759
8. +Norah, Dear Norah -- William Shields, 1783 (Washington's favorite opera)
9. +The Way-Worn Traveler -- Samuel Arnold, 1793
10. 1982 Concert Address (excerpt)
11. Tenor Recit. & Chorus from THE CREATION (Franz Joseph Haydn, 1798)
12. ++Thanksgiving Hymn -- music: William Billings, 1778
13. ++Ode to the President of the United States -- words: Samuel Low, 1789
14. Victory -- Daniel Read -- Daniel Read, 1793
15. New Jerusalem -- Jeremiah Ingalls, 1796
16. The Dove -- Samuel Capen, 1805
17. New Bethlehem -- Edward French, 1799
18. Mount Vernon -- Oliver Holden, 1803
19. Dedication -- words: William Billings, 1794/music: Roger Hall, 1977
20. The Grand Constitution (from a play about the years 1787 and 1788)
21. The Federal March (excerpt) -- Alexander Reinagle, 1788
22. ++Yankee Song -- tune: Yankee Doodle, 1788
23. ++The Grand Constitution (dialogue from the one act play)
24. ++Ode for the President of the United States -- tune: God Save the King
+ = edited and arranged by William Arms Fisher, The Music That Washington Knew (1931)
++ = edited and arranged by Roger Hall (1982, 1987)
To order the CD-R, go the
A DVD-R (Now and Then: Music from Stoughton) is available with music from Washington's era.
For more details, see the videotape section at
Christmas Music From New England
Total Time = 70:53
Twenty-four Christmas carols and hymns from New England composed between 1778 and 1978.
For track titles, go to:
Christmas Music in New England
[NEW RELEASE]
New England Choral Sampler: From The Pilgrims To Peace
30 tracks (Total Time = 72:49)
Psams, hymns, ballads, patriotic songs, religious music, classical choral works from the time of the Pilgrims in the 17th century to music festivals in the 20th century.
For complete track titles, go to:
New England Choral Sampler [NECS]
[NEW RELEASE]
Gentle Words -- A Shaker Music Sampler
28 tracks, including singing by the Shakers, and an interview with composer, Aaron Copland,
about his arrangements of the Shaker dance song, "Simple Gifts."For complete track titles, go to:
See also the accompanying illustrated "Gentle Words" booklet with the lyrics and commentary for 25 Shaker spirituals at
[NEW RELEASE]
In honor of the 250th Anniversary
of
America's first secular song (1759)
12 tracks (Total Time = 38:49)
America's first secular song:1. My days have been so wondrous free (1759) - soprano and harpsichord
2. My days have been so wondrous free (1759) - mezzo-soprano and organ
Songs in tribute to George Washington:3. A Toast (1778) - tenor and organ
4. Beneath a weeping willow's shade (1788) - soprano and organ
Eights Songs For Solo Voice and Harpsichord (1788) --
Dedicated to George Washington:
5. Come fair Rosina
6. My love is gone to sea
7. Beneath a weeping willow's shade
8. O'er the hills far away
9. See, down Maria's blushing cheek
10. Enraptur'd I gaze
11. Rondo: My gen'rous heart disdains
12. The traveler benighted and lostTo order this CD at a special discount price, go to the
When you order A Guide to Film Music,
you will have a choice of AMRC Nos. 18, 19, or 20
at no extra cost.
22 tracks (Total Time = 74:28)
Featuring three radio programs paying tribute to one of the greatest film composers from the past,
with guest Roger Hall:
(1) a birthday tribute from 1990
(2) a 50th anniversary tribute to CITIZEN KANE in 1991 (3) a tribute to his 1941 Oscar-winning score, ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY (aka: THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER).
See also this article:
Bernard Herrmann: The Early Years
15 tracks (Total Playing Time = 67:11)
AMRC 19: "Henry Mancini On Radio" (15 tracks) -- includes a special radio tribute from 1989 with some of his early music from television and movies, such as PETER GUNN and THE PINK PANTHER, plus a 1991 call-in radio program with Henry Mancini as the guest with some of his film music included.
22 tracks (Total Time = 78:59)
Music by film composer John Williams featured on radio, including a birthday tribute by Roger Hall on WGBH radio, and several Sammy Awards.
Also included are selections from "A Night at the Movies" with music by Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, Franz Waxman and John Williams. This concert was presented at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During intermission of this concert there is a lengthy interview with John Williams.
Also available is a DVD-R titled:
Hooray For Hollywood: Memorable Music Of The Movies
Film music historian Roger Hall is a guest on several television programs and
speaks about film scores and songs, including several clips from
classic films from the past.For information how to get a copy of this DVD-R, go to:
Film Composers and Soundtracks
George Gershwin
These publications also include accompanying music on CDRs:
Remembering Radio: Great Songwriters and Singers (2nd edition)
A Guide to Film Music -- Songs and Scores (3rd edition)
A Guide to George Gershwin (2nd edition)
A Guide to Shaker Music -- with Music Supplement (6th edition)
New England Songster
If you have any questions, write to:
To order the CD-R's or Resource Publications go to the
American Music Preservation Links
A Century of American Songs, Part One (1759-1859)
A Century of American Songs, Part Two (1861-1961)
Essential American Recordings Survey [EARS]
Film Composers and Soundtracks
New England Music Archive [NEMA]
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM]
Composer Tributes
Favorite American Composers (Web Poll)
New England Composer Series No. 1: Edwin A. Jones
New England Composer Series No. 2: George W. Chadwick
Leroy Anderson
Hall of Fame
This annual event is sponsored by The Tune Lovers Society.
Each year there are ten American composers and songwriters
added to the Tunemaker Hall of Fame.To read the names listed for each year, click on this link:
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