''The Hesperian Harp'' is a

shape note Shape notes are a musical notation designed to facilitate congregational and social singing. The notation, introduced in late 18th century England, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools. Shapes were added to the noteh ...

tunebook published in 1848 by Dr

William Hauser William Clarke Hauser was an American minister, medical doctor, teacher, composer, and music publisher. Biography He was born December 23, 1812 in Bethania, Forsyth County, North Carolina. He was the son of Martin Hauser and Leah Billiter. Willia ...

, with reprintings issued in 1852, 1853, and 1874.Patterson 1988, p. 34 n. 1 Subtitled ''A Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Odes and Anthems'', it is named after Hauser's plantation, Hesperia, in Jefferson County, Georgia. The word "harp" is often found in the titles of such tunebooks, most famously ''

The Sacred Harp Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that originated in New England and was later perpetuated and carried on in the American South. The name is derived from ''The Sacred Harp'', a ubiquitous and historically important tun ...

'' (although "Harmony" is also common, to emphasize the then-new concept of 4-part harmony, unlike the earlier method of lined-out hymnody that was being supplanted). The ''Hesperian Harp'' was probably the largest shape note tune book of its day, containing 552 pages of music, including 36 songs composed by Hauser. It uses the four-note system of notation pioneered by William Little and William Smith.

Notes

References

* Daniel W. Patterson,
William Hauser's ''Hesperian Harp'' and ''Olive Leaf'': Shape-Note Tunebooks as Emblems of Change and Progress
" ''The Journal of American Folklore'', Vol. 101, No. 399 (Jan. - Mar., 1988), pp. 23-36

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hesperian Harp Hymnals Shape note 1848 in Christianity 1848 in music 1848 books

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