New Book Publication from ACDA’s Tim Sharp

Musical Treasures from Moravian Archives is a series of critical editions of music preserved in the various centers of Moravian culture. The series is published by Steglein Publishing, with the first in the book series, Hymns to be Sung at the Pianoforte by Johannes Herbst, written by American Choral Director Association Executive Director, Tim Sharp. Dr. Sharp wrote the historical background to the work, Herbst’s biographical information, critical report of the songs, evaluation of the sources for this monumental Herbst collection, and edited the songs contained in Hymns to be Sung at the Pianoforte. The work as a whole is a collection of 172 short vocal songs composed or collected by Johannes Herbst (1735-1812). The book is released on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Herbst’s death in Winston-Salem, NC.

Steglein Publishing takes its name from the German term “Steg”, which refers to a narrow path or a footbridge, or in a musical sense, the bridge of stringed instruments. The German ending “lein” is a diminutive, so “Steglein” is a small bridge. In his comments about the publication Hymns to be Sung at the Pianoforte given during the recent ACDA Southern Division Conference, Sharp referred to the collection by Moravian Johannes Herbst as an American bridge to the Second Berlin Song School.

The official release of Musical Treasures from Moravian Archives, Volume I:  Hymns to be Sung at the Pianoforte by Johannes Herbst will take place on Thursday evening, April 19, at 7:30 pm in Gray Auditorium at the Old Salem Visitor Center in Winston-Salem, NC. The Lecture Concert features a presentation by Tim Sharp, with performances of selections from Herbst’s Hymns to be Sung at the Pianoforte played on the Tannenberg organ by Scott Carpenter, and sung by vocalists from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. On Friday evening, April 20, a second concert will be presented at the same location entitled “Hallelujah, Sing We Loudly!”, featuring sacred anthems by Johannes Herbst performed by Moramus Chorale and Orchestra.