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CD and DVD Releases
The Shakers are America's oldest surviving religious communal sect.
Contrary to what some listeners might think, there are numerous recordings of Shaker music on CDs. There are also a few DVDs available.
The recordings listed below include those with Shaker singers and several were compiled from in-person interviews and are not available anywhere else. The music consists of songs, hymns and anthems and are prime examples of "white (or Anglo-American) spirituals," a religious folk music tradition lasting over two centuries.
These recordings are non-refundable unless defective, and if so, will be replaced at no additional charge.
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A Sampling of Shaker Music CDs
Some of the Shaker songs and hymns included on these CDs are available in performing editions by Shaker music scholar, Roger Lee Hall, at these links:
Recently, for his 40th anniversary, Mr. Hall has collected ten of his books and music collections together with over 200 music examples on a Deluxe Edition DVD titled, A Shaker Music Miscellany.
The following CDs have music edited or arranged by Mr. Hall:
- Blended Together: Interviews with The Shakers (AMRC)
- Gentle Words - A Shaker Music Sampler (AMRC)
- The Humble Heart - 24 Shaker Spirituals (AMRC)
- Joy of Angels: Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and The New Year (Sampler)
- Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers (Rounder Records)
- Love is Little: A Sampling of Shaker Spirituals (Sampler Records)
Mr. Hall was the consultant on these CDs:
- The River of Love:
Music of the Shakers and Music Based on Shaker Themes (Albany Records) - Simple Gifts : Shaker Chants and Spirituals (Erato)
Shaker Music Series
No. 1: "Blended Together" - Interviews with The Shakers
No. 2: "Gentle Words" - A Shaker Music Sampler
No. 3: "The Humble Heart" - Twenty-four Shaker Spirituals
Singing by the Shakers
Early Shaker Spirituals
(Sabbathday Lake Shakers)
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers
(Shakers from Canterbury and
Sabbathday Lake)
Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals
(Boston Camerata with the Sabbathday Lake Shakers)
CD only available by donation
This specially produced non-commercial CDR compiled and produced by Roger Hall with over one hour of music contains 30 tracks of Shaker music recorded in live concerts and from Public Radio programs between 1976 and 2002.
It includes six different versions of the best known Shaker song, "Simple Gifts" (aka: 'Tis the gift to be simple), arranged by Bob Beers, Judy Collins, Aaron Copland, and Roger Hall. Also many other beautiful Shaker spirituals.
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Simple Gifts of Shaker Music CD
Original Shaker Tunes
These two CD releases on Rounder Records, with 40 Shaker spirituals each, are the most extensive ones featuring the Shakers singing and speaking about their music...
Early Shaker Spirituals (Rounder Records)
A CD collection, originally released on LP in 1976, with 40 Shaker spirituals sung by The United Society of Shakers, Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Many of the spirituals are sung by Sister R. Mildred Barker, the foremost Shaker singer of her time. The spirituals include laboring songs, gift songs, prayer songs, a hymn and anthem and several interviews with Sister Mildred Barker. Extensive notes and texts for all the music are provided by Daniel W. Patterson.
These are a few of Shaker spirituals included on the CD set:
"The rolling deep" (Eldress Polly Lawrence)
"Come life, Shaker life" (Elder Issachar Bates)
"Down in the lowly vale" (Sister Polly Rupe)
"'Tis the gift to be simple" (Elder Joseph Brackett)
"I looked and lo a lamb" (anthem)
"With a new tongue" (Brother David A. Buckingham)
"O brighter than the morning star" (Ezra T. Leggett/Susanna Brady)
"O give me a little love" (Sister Sarah Fletcher)
You can order this CD directly from Amazon.com here:
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers (Rounder Records)
"The spiritual music of the Shakers. as might be expected, is notable for its simplicity and straightforward nature...anyone with an interest in American religious music will find the material both interesting and moving.
Highly recommended."
--Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
This 2 CD set from 1999 includes 40 Shaker spirituals sung by the Shakers from Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. It includes a history of Shaker music narrated by Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Lillian Phelps. There are also interviews with Sister R. Mildred Barker, Eldress Bertha Lindsay, and Sister Lillian Phelps.
The first interviews were done in 1960 by William (Bill) Randle. Later interviews were conducted in 1972 and 1980 by Roger Hall, who has edited and written the detailed notes for this unique collection.
These are a few of Shaker spirituals included on the CD set:
"Let Zion Move"
"Redeeming Love"
"Let My Name Be Recorded"
"I See The Light Before Me" (all four by Mary Ann Gillespie)
"Abiding Care" (Dorothy Durgin)
"O Tarry Not" (words: Dorothea Cochran/ music: Lillian Phelps)
"Star of Purity" (words: Susanna Brady/ music: Ezra T. Leggett)
"Lead Me On To Greater Victory" (Otis Sawyer)
"Prayer Universal" (Dorothy Durgin) -- solo by Charles Thompson
The CD set includes an attractive 72 page illustrated booklet with examples of Shaker music and the words to all 40 Shaker spirituals plus a bibliography and discography, compiled by Roger Hall.
Read how these important recordings were made in 1960-61 and
finally released commercially in 1999.
If still available, you can order the CD set from Amazon.com at this link:
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers
Blended Together: Interviews with The Shakers
(AMRC 8)
This is the first in the Shaker Music Series and was compiled and produced by Roger Lee Hall. It is a valuable collection of field recordings with interviews and singing by four Shaker sisters:
Eldress Bertha Lindsay and Sister Lillian Phelps from Canterbury, New Hampshire; and Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr from Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
Since many of these interviews were recorded on tape at the Shaker villages, the recorded sound is not always ideal. But these are rare examples of Shaker sisters talking about and singing their own music.
The CD title of "Blended Together" is named after a song by Elder Joseph Holden (1851-1919) from Mt. Lebanon, New York.
The late Sister R. Mildred Barker said in an interview that this was a favorite song at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community and was sung there for many years.
Track Titles:
1. Song: Blended together as one we stand -- a. Mitzie Collins & Roger Hall/
b. Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr
2. Song: Mother says O rise be glad -- Eldress Bertha Lindsay, 1972
3. Interview with Eldress Bertha Lindsay at Canterbury, NH, 1972
4. Interview continued: about the reed organ
5. Interview continued: about the Shaker orchestra
6. Interview continued: about Canterbury singers
7. Interview continued: about Canterbury hymnal
8. Interview continued: about Elder Henry Blinn
9. Interview continued: about Shaker school
10. Song: I will go on my way -- Eldress Bertha Lindsay
11. Song: May I softly walk and O tarry not 'mid worldly strife
12. Sister Lillian Phelps tells about O tarry not and sings one of her songs
13. Interview with Eldress Bertha: Shaker dances and marches
14. Interview continued: about Shaker notation
15. Interview with Sister Lillian: about her musical training
16. Interview continued: about Shaker gift songs
17. Interview with Eldress Bertha: about a skipping song
18. Interview with Eldress Bertha: about Shaker dances
19. Song: In the days when I shall comfort thee
20. Song: I want to be clean and holy all over
21. Just enough cross by the way and 'Tis the gift to be simple
22. Interview with Eldress Bertha Lindsay -- Cleveland, Ohio TV, 1974
23. Song: O my sweet Shaker home
24. Song: O we're a band of sisters and happy are we
25. Song: Simple Gifts - Eldress Bertha's 90th birthday party
26. Song: Who will bow and bend like the willow - Sabbathday Lake,1974
27. Song: I must live must have my being - Sister Mildred Barker
28. Interview with Sister Mildred at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, 1980
29. Hymn: The Shakers - Sister Mildred and Sister Frances,1980
30. Song: We will all go home with you - Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1974
To order this CD, go to the
"Blended Together" -- Broadside Series No. 2
This attractive broadside is available at the
Store
Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler
(AMRC 16)
Words to the title song:
What the dew is to the flower,
Gentle words are to the soul,
And a blessing to the giver,
And so dear to the receiver
We should never withhold.
Gentle words, kindly spoken,
Often soothe the troubled mind,
While links of love are broken
By words that are unkind.
Then O, thou gentle spirit,
My constant Guardian be,
"Do to others," be my motto,
"As I'd have them do to me."
Track titles for the CD,
Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler (Shaker Music Series No. 2)24 Premiere Recordings!
1. +Song: Welcome, Welcome Precious Gospel Kindred --
Rosetta Cummings, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall)
2. Dance Song: Come Life, Shaker Life-- Issachar Bates,
New Lebanon, NY, 1835
3. +Anthem: Mount Zion -- Issachar Bates, Ohio ca. 1815
4. +Hymn: Rights of Conscience -- Issachar Bates, Ohio, ca. 1810
5. +Hymn: Ode to Contentment -- Issachar Bates, 1833
6. +Song: While We're Marching -- North Union, Ohio, 1847
7. +Dance Song: Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
(edited by Roger Lee Hall)
8. +Hymn: Doxology -- Oliver C. Hampton, Union Village, Ohio, 1850s
9. +Song: A Dream -- Harvey L. Eades, Union Village, Ohio, 1860
10. +Pacifist Hymn: A Prayer for the Captive -- Cecilia DeVere,
New Lebanon, New York, 1862
11. +Anthem: Millennial Praise-- James G. Russell, Enfield, NH, 1883
12. +Humility Song: Gentle Words -- Polly M. Rupe, 1867 (arr. Roger Lee Hall)
13. +Humility Song: Love is Little -- South Union, Kentucky, 1834
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall)
14. +Hymn: Celestial Praises -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1841
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall)
15. +Hymn: Celestial Choir-- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1847
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall)
16. +Song: May I Softly Walk -- Lebanon, New York, 1869
17. +Piano Variations on a Shaker Marching Tune -- composed by Roger Lee Hall
18. Interview and Song: +Living Souls, Let's Be Marching --
Brother Ricardo Belden (recorded in 1957)
19. +Hymn: I Must Live Must Have My Being -- R. Mildred Barker, 1974
20. +Song: O My Sweet Shaker Home -- Bertha Lindsay, 1980
21. +Hymn: I Want To Be Like The Lily -- Bertha Lindsay (recorded in 1980)
22. Commentary on Shaker songs by Bertha Lindsay (recorded in 1980)
23. +Skipping Song: O We're A Band of Sisters --Bertha Lindsay,
Canterbury, New Hampshire (recorded in 1980)
24. Song: Simple Gifts (arranged by Aaron Copland)
25. Interview with composer Aaron Copland in 1980
26. +Song: Give Good Gifts -- The Sampler Singers, 2002
27. +Hymn: The Humble Heart -- text: Eunice Wyeth/ tune: Thomas Hammond, Harvard, Massachusetts (arranged by Roger Lee Hall)
28. +Song: We Will All Go Home With You -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1862 -
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall)+ = Premiere Recording = 24 titles
Click on the link in the box below to hear a sample track.
Please allow time for download on Real Player...
To order this CD, go to the
Note: The CD is also available
with the accompanying lyrics book,
Gentle Words: Shaker Music in the 20th Century on
a multimedia CD-ROM, readable on any computer.
Read more
at this link:
Gentle Words - A Shaker Song Discovery
The music arrangements for CD tracks 1, 14, 27, 28
are included in the Music Supplement of
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A GUIDE TO SHAKER MUSIC - With Music Supplement
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
(New World Records)
Featuring 39 tracks of Shaker spirituals performed by The Enfield Shaker Singers, directed by Mary Ann Haagen, who has also arranged a few tunes. It includes many spirituals recorded for the first time, such as the title song, Otis Sawyer's "The Closing Day," and David A. Buckingham's magnificent anthem, "Harmony of Angels." All the Shaker spirituals are performed in unaccompanied performances by the chorus and soloists. This CD is well worth adding to your collection.
To see track listings and order from Amazon, click this link:
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
For more information about this performing ensemble, go to
Joy of Angels:
Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and The New Year
(Sampler Records Ltd.)
You can order the CD directly from Sampler Folk Music
This CD from Sampler Records in 1995 features 38 Shaker spirituals and is the only one devoted to music for Christmas and the New Year, many of them recorded for the first time anywhere. The featured performers are: Randy Folger, Colleen Liggett, Kathy Leigh Johnson, Mitzie Collins, The Eastman Bach Children's Chorus, and The Sampler Chorus. The CD title is taken from the opening Shaker Christmas hymn: "Hail, hail the beautiful morn" by Elmina Phillips from North Union, Ohio. There is an accompanying songbook with all the music and extensive notes about the music and Shaker Christmas rituals by Roger Hall, plus a list of recordings of Aaron Copland's arrangements of "Simple Gifts."
Here is the list of titles, Shaker composers and communities:
1. Hail, hail the beautiful morn (Christmas Hymn) -- Elmina Phillips,
North Union, Ohio, 1869
2. O See The Lovely Angels -- Marcia Hastings,
Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1840
3. Mother's Golden Trumpet -- Archibald Meacham, White Water, Ohio, 1843
4. Christmas Offering/ Gladsome Sound -- Martha J. Anderson,
Mt Lebanon, New York, 1871
5. Christmas Hymn -- George R. Runyan, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
6. Christmas Day -- Susan Bundy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1868
7. Brethren and Sisters Let Us Sing -- Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
8. Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
9. In Love and Sweet Union -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1845
10. When Christ was of a Virgin born -- Watervliet, New York, 1840
11. While once in Judah's lovely land -- John Dunlavy,
Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1815
12. Season of Devotion -- Enfield, New Hampshire, date unknown
13. Holy Praise -- Enfield, New Hampshire, December 25, 1852
14. Angel's Song -- Union Village, Ohio, date unknown
15. Christmas Eve -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
16. I Hear a Voice -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1860
17. Hail the Memorable Morn -- text: Richard McNemar/
tune: Issachar Bates, Ohio, 1832
18. The Prince of Peace is Come -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1830s
19. Christmas March -- Benjamin Dunlavy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1825
20. Sweep As I Go -- Abraham Perkins, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1840
21. The Birth of Christ -- Richard McNemar, Union Village, Ohio
22. This is Jesus' Birthday -- Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1854
23. Peace and Joy -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1893
24. Star of Hope -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
25. To All the Good Children, A Happy New Year -- Prudence Houston,
South Union, KY, 1827
26. I Love of Play and Skip Around -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1837
27. The Birthday of Jesus -- West Union, Indiana, date unknown
28. Heavenly Music -- Nelson Phillips, North Union, Ohio, 1853
29. Hundred-Fold Blessing -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
30. Star of Purity -- Union Village, Ohio, 1868
31. Step Tune -- New Lebanon, New York, 1858
32. Our Saviour's Birth -- Benjamin Dunlavy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1830
33. A New Year -- New Lebanon, New York, date unknown
34. New Year's Greeting -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
35. Low within the Vale -- Paulina Bryant, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1850
36. Give Good Gifts -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1893
37. With Precious Gifts -- Enfield, Connecticut, 1839
38. Fear Not, For Behold -- Josephine E. Wilson, Canterbury, NH, 1900"The editorial essays in the printed anthology are models of their kind, providing clear and wise guidance to students and performers alike. The performances on the recording are lovingly skillful and delightfully varied and will repay repeated listenings."
-- Ralph P. Locke , Professor of Musicology, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
"Here is a rich lode of possibilities for all kinds of singing occasions - some for congregations at Christmas, like the wonderful regional carols - and others for specific events, such as a Shaker pageant or historical program...I love the melodic ideas - this is not what you hear every day. Congratulations to all involved."
-- George Ward , recording artist and folklorist, Albany, New York.
Read the description by Sister Elmina Phillips of
Christmas Music Among the Shakers in the Olden Time
Love is Little:
A Sampling of Shaker Spirituals
(Sampler Records Ltd.)
You can order this CD directly from Sampler Folk Music
A collection of 36 Shaker spirituals, released by Sampler Records in 1992, representing all of the 18 major Shaker communities, performed by Roger Hall, Mitzie Collins and other soloists, and The Sampler Chorus. It is titled after the popular Shaker humility song from South Union, Kentucky.
There is also an accompanying songbook compiled by Roger Hall with all the music from the CD, plus music notes, a list of titles from the Shaker Song Series, and a bibliography. Included is the earliest known Shaker song with complete words and music, "In Yonder Valley" (1787).These are the titles and Shaker communities with dates included:
1. Mother Ann's Song -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1783
2. Father James's Song -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1783
3. In Yonder Valley -- James Whittaker, Enfield, Connecticut, 1787
4. Square Order Shuffle -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1791
5. Quick Step Manner -- Sung by John Robinson, Shirley, Mass, 1815
6. The Happy Journey -- Sung by Joshua Goodrich, Harvard, Mass, 1808
7. How Beautiful Do The Heavens Ring -- Hancock, Massachusetts, 1849
8. Living Souls Let's Be Marching -- singing of Brother Ricardo Belden, 1957,
Tyringham, Massachusetts, 1853
9. Followers of the Lamb -- Clarissa Jacobs, New Lebanon, NY, 1847/1985
10. Put Thy Hands To Work -- Community unknown, 1869
11. A Prayer for the Captive -- Cecilia DeVere, New Lebanon, New York, 1862
12. Glory and Honor -- David A. Buckingham, Watervliet, New York, 1873
13. O Do Feel More Life -- Sodus, New York, 1837
14. Welcome, Welcome Gospel Kindred -- Lydia Dole, Groveland, NY, 1865
15. Chinese -- Groveland, New York
16. Praise to Mother -- Ann Marie Love (?), Groveland, NY, 1852
17. A Round Dance -- Eldress Lydia Dole, Groveland, NY, 1865
18. All is Summer -- Groveland, NY, 1875
19. If Our Home is So Beautiful -- Groveland, NY, 1893
20. All at Home -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1870/1912
21. More Love -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1870/1914
22. Prayer Universal -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1890
23. Millennial Praise -- James G. Russell, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1883
24. Peace to Zion -- Enfield, New Hampshire, 1851
25. The Shakers -- text: Richard McNemar, ca. 1813/
tune: From the singing of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1980
26. Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett, Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
27. Blended Together -- Joseph Holden, New Lebanon, NY, 1870/
Sabbathday Lake Shaker singers, 1974
28. Let Zion Move -- Mary Ann Gillespie, Alfred, Maine, 1875
29. Redeeming Love -- Mary Ann Gillespie, Alfred, Maine, 1875
30. Mother -- text: Richard McNemar. Union Village, Ohio, ca. 1813/
tune: From the singing of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1974
31. How Happy Are They -- Richard McNemar, Watervliet, Ohio, 1833
32. Ode to Contentment -- text: Richard Pelham/tune: Issachar Bates, North Union, Ohio, 1833-35
33. On the Landing of Mother Ann in America -- North Union, Ohio, 1860
34. Slow March (The angels of heaven) -- Ephraim Frost,
Whitewater (or White Water Village), Ohio, 1872
35. Gentle Words -- Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, ca. 1867
36. Love is Little -- South Union, Kentucky, ca. 1834/ 1976
Reviews:
"The recording includes a nice contrast of styles, tempi, vocal timbres and ranges. It resists the temptation to 'arrange' the music for modern performance, but lets the music speak for itself. I'd recommend both the book and recording as useful for singers and scholars, and would suggest that traditional music groups will find the collection a means of incorporating these songs into their own repertories. I'd also recommend the recording if for no other reason than that you'll enjoy it."--- Susan Porter, Professor of Music, Ohio State University, Lima, Ohio in The Sonneck Society for American Music Bulletin, Summer, 1993.
"The excellent vocals of Mitzie, Roger and the Sampler Chorus carry this recording onto a high level of musical achievement. Anyone interested in the Shakers and their music must have this recording."
---"Andy Recommends" in Andy's Front Hall Order Catalog,
Voorheesville, New York.
Simple Gifts:
Shaker Chants and Spirituals (Erato)
This CD from 1995 features The Boston Camerata, directed by Joel Cohen, with the Schola Cantorum, joined by the Shakers and recorded in the Shaker meeting house at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
There are a few errors in the CD notes. Contrary to what is written,
The Spiritual Sailor in four-part harmony was NOT a Shaker hymn.Also, the title song of this CD and best known Shaker song, "Simple Gifts," was NOT composed "circa 1875." You can read the correct information at: Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"
See track listings and order at this link:
Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals
Another recommended CD release by The Boston Camerata...
The Golden Harvest: More Shaker Chants and Spirituals
Read the review of this Boston Camerata CD
with transcriptions by Anne Azema and Joel Cohen
and recorded at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker meeting house
at this link,
The Humble Heart:
24 Shaker Spirituals
(AMRC 10)
All the titles are arrangements of Shaker tunes
or original compositions (nos. 6-9)
1. +"Welcome, Welcome" - Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869
2. +"Holy Habitation" - Shaker hymn, Harvard, Massachusetts, 1848
3. +"The Humble Heart" - words: Eunice Wyeth/ tune: Thomas Hammond, Harvard, Massachusetts, ca. 1820
4. +"Voyage to Canaan" - words: Richard McNemar, Ohio, ca. 1810
5. +"Celestial Praises" - Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1841
6. +"Christian Love" - words: Elvah F. Collins, 1881/ music: Roger Hall 1980
7. +"My Shepherd" - poem: R. Mildred Barker, Alfred, Maine, 1926/
music: Roger Hall, 19848. +"A New Year's Prayer" - poem: R. Mildred Barker, Alfred, Maine, 1921/ music: Roger Hall, 1983
9. +"A Prayer" - Shaker hymn, poem: R. Mildred Barker, Alfred, Maine, 1921/ music: Roger Hall, 1978
10. +"May I Softly Walk" - New Lebanon, New York, 1869
11. +"Simple Gifts" - Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
12. +"A Welcome Song" - Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1869
13. +"Invitation to Zion" - David A. Buckingham, Watervleit, NY, 1846
14. +"Invitation to Souls" - Mathilda A. Butler, Whitewater, Ohio, 1846
15. Piano Variations on a Shaker marching tune - music by Roger Hall, 1984 - [FIRST PERFORMANCE, Lexington, Massachusetts, 1986]
16. "Celestial Choir" - Canterbury, New Hampshire, 184717. "Come life, Shaker life" - Issachar Bates, New Lebanon, NY, 1835
18. "Rights of Conscience" - Issachar Bates, Union Village, Ohio, ca. 1810
19. "The Millennium" - Issachar Bates, South Union, Kentucky, 1830s
20. "Almighty Savior" - Issachar Bates, New Lebanon, NY, 1836
21. "The Earthquake" - Daniel Mosely, Union Ohio, 1811
22. "Reflections on Mother Ann's Birthday" - David A. Buckingham, Watervliet, NY, 184023. "Farewell Vain World" - Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1833
24. +"We Will All Go Home With You" - Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1862+ = arrangement in A GUIDE TO SHAKER MUSIC
To order The Humble Heart: 24 Shaker Spirituals
(Shaker Music Series No. 3)
click this link:
Beautiful Harp Music by Diane Schneider
From her series of soothing harp music, there are three CDs with Shaker song arrangements...
15 tracks of beautiful Christmas music arrangements by Diane Schneider, including "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming" (2:36); "The First Noel" (3:03); "I Wonder As I Wander" (5:31); "Silent Night" (4:49). There is also one Shaker Christmas hymn ("When Christ was of a Virgin Born" (3:05) from the music collection: Joy of Angels: Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and the New Year.
Harp of Hope
2008 POW! Award-winning instrumental CD
There are 17 tracks on this CD including these tunes: "Greensleeves" (3:51), "The Ash Grove" (2:47), "Kum Ba Yah" (2:22). There are also hymns like "Abide With Me" (1:53), "Amazing Grace" (3:57), and "Nearer My God To Thee" (2:39). The Shaker song is the best known one: Elder Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts" (3:36) in a lovely arrangement by Diane Schneider. In addition to this music, there is a bonus track titled: "Angel's Wing" - described as "a 9 minute improvisation with floating, rhythm-less arpeggios to induce relaxation." There is also an Animal Therapy Edition of this same CD "for soothing relief, deep sleep, and anti-anxiety with dogs, cats, birds, horses -- and their owners."
This lovely CD of traditional songs of faith arranged by Diane Schneider includes three Shaker songs: "Love is Little" (2:45), "We Must Be Meek" (2:37), ""My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down." (3:35). Also the CD includes such well known hymns as" "How Great Thou Art" (4:42); "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"; and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" (3:00).
All the selections are "therapeutically arranged to calm anxiety,
stabilize heart rate, and encourage restful sleep."
To order these CDs, click on this link:
The River of Love:
Music of the Shakers and Music Based on Shaker Themes
(Albany Records)
Featuring original Shaker melodies and arrangements by William Cutter, Aaron Copland , and World Premiere recordings of a cantata by Jacob Druckman, and Eric Sawyer's The Humble Heart: A Cantata for Youth.
The performers on this CD include these soloists:
Emily Browder, soprano
Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Leonard, tenor
Robert Honeysucker, baritone
Bill Geha, piano
Malcolm Halliday, conductorThe CD features the New England Voices, a performing and educational ensemble founded in 1998 and including youth and adult singers and instrumentalists.
Assisting with Shaker music research was musicologist and singer,
Roger Lee Hall.The founder and director, Nancy Annis McDowell, writes:
"The program is grouped thematically for the most part, songs about Mother Ann, songs about love, four-part spirituals, and hymns chosen by contemporary composers for their works based on Shaker themes. The River of Love perpetuates a new genre of American music begun by Jacob Druckman. Music based on Themes of the American Shakers. This recording by New England Voices, the first of its kind, is especially suited for youth as both performers and listeners."
Participants in this recording project (left to right):
Roger Lee Hall, Nancy Annis McDowell,
and Eric Sawyer.
(photo by Gail Hall)
New England Voices - Combined Choirs
(photo by Gail Hall)
CD Track Titles:
1. Hymn: Prayer Universal - Combined Choirs
2. Song: Simple Gifts (arranged by Aaron Copland) -- Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano; Bill Geha, piano
3. Song: A Mince Pie or a Puding (New Lebanon, NY) -- Emily Browder, Nancy McDowell, Pamela Dellal, Andrew Leonard
4. From a Shaker Hymnal -- There's a Light (arranged by William Cutter) - Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
5. From a Shaker Hymnal -- Let Zion Move (arranged by William Cutter) - Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
6. From a Shaker Hymnal-- I Will Go On My Way (arranged by William Cutter)- Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
7. Song: Drink Ye - Andrew Leonard, tenor
8. Song: I Love Mother - Corinne Candilis, child soloist
9. Mother Ann's Song - Michael Pritchard, bass
10. Mother Ann's Closet - Emily Browder, soprano
11. Dissmission of the Devil - Robert Honeysucker, baritone
12. Hymn: The Humble Heart - Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
13. The Humble Heart: A Cantata For Youth (composed by Eric Sawyer, 2006 - World Premiere Recording) -- Emily Browder, Pamela Dellal, Andrew Leonard, Robert Honeysucker, Combined Choirs
14. More Love - Emily Browder, soprano
15. Invitation to the River of Love - Robert Honeysucker, baritone
16. Love is Little - Jennifer Shaw. soprano
17. Pretty Home - Grace Long, soprano
18. A Snag of it or a Handful of Gospel Love - Children's Chorus
19. Tuvan Throat Singing - Thomas Erick Summer, tenor
20. Adagio in Lydian Mode from String Quartet No. 2 (Eric Sawyer) - Karen Oosterbaan, violin; Frederick Bednarz, violin; Thomas Fajaro, viola; Hazel Gietheim, cello
21. Sweet Summer Land - Combined Choirs
22. I'll Tell Thee of Heaven - Combined Choirs
23. I Hunger and Thirst - Laura Stanfield Pritchard, soprano
24. I Know How to Pay - Philip Candilis, bass
25. On Zion's Holy Ground - Diane Taraz Shriver, soprano
26. Work for the Harvest - Combined Choirs
27. In My Father's House - Combined Choirs
28. Come Life, Shaker Life - Combined Choirs
29. O Heaven of Heavens - Emily Browder, soprano
30. One, Two, Three Steps - Emily Browder, Nancy McDowell, sopranos
31. Little Trumpet - Thomas Erick Summer, tenor
32. I've Set My Face for Zion's Kingdom - Combined Choirs
33. Funeral Hymn - Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
34. The Simple Gifts: A Cantata Based on Themes of the American Shakers (Jacob Druckman, 1954/ World Premiere Recording)
- Emily Browder, soprano; Philip Candilis, bass;
Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Leonard, tenor
35. Farewell Song - Thomas Erik Summer, tenor
36. I Will Bow and Be Simple - Combined Choirs
37. Living Souls Let's Be Marching - Combined Choirs
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Three Recommended Instrumental CDs
(Gourd Music)
A series of three CDs with very appealing medleys of Shaker melodies, arranged by William Coulter (guitar) and Barry Phillips (cello) and joined by an ensemble of highly talented folk musicians.
These CDs for recommended for enjoyable listening. To see track titles, click on the links.
Simple Gifts (GM 106)
(11 tracks)
Tree of Life (GM 114)
(12 tracks)
Music On The Mountain (GM 124)
(15 tracks)
DVDs with Shaker Music
New Release!
"Millennial Praise"
Choral Singing in Earlier America,
From The Pilgrims to The Shakers
A Shaker Music Miscellany
(multimedia DVD with over 200 Shaker music examples)
Shaker Marches and Dances
(The Enfield Shaker Singers)
Ken Burns and Shaker Music
Ken Burns' America: The Shakers
In 1999, Ken Burns produced another documentary shown on PBS which included some Shaker music, but it was not identified correctly.
CD: Not for Ourselves Alone:
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony
DVD: Not for Ourselves Alone:
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
& Susan B. Anthony
Included in this documentary film by Ken Burns and Paul Barnes is some Shaker music. The soundtrack CD for Not for Ourselves Alone lists only one Shaker song:
"Good Evening My Friends" (track 8 of the CD).
Actually there are TWO Shaker songs included on this track:
"Good Evening, My Friends" (New Lebanon, New York, 1837)
"Mount Lebanon March" (New Lebanon, New York, 1822)Both songs were published in the collection titled, The Happy Journey: Thirty-Five Shaker Spirituals. This sollection was edited by Roger L. Hall, and published by The Fruitlands Museums in Harvard, Massachusetts in 1982. He transcribed these tunes from the original Shaker "letteral" notation and prepared performing editions of them. Unfortunately, this music collection is now out-of-print. Copies of these two tunes in performing editions are available by request. Write to: Two Shaker Song Editions
The Shakers On Television
This DVD is no longer available,
but several television programs from 1966 and 1986
are included
on this multimedia DVD,
Related AMP Links
Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers
Joseph Brackett's Simple Gifts
Shaker Music Books and Articles
Shaker Music Collections and Songbooks
Top Twelve Recorded Shaker Tunes
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