John Frederick Wolle Music Manuscripts

John Frederick Wolle Music Manuscripts Held by Special Collections Lehigh University Linderman Library Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA Phone: 610-7...
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John Frederick Wolle Music Manuscripts Held by Special Collections Lehigh University Linderman Library Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA Phone: 610-758 4506 Fax: 610-758 6091 URL: http://www.lehigh.edu/library/speccoll/specialcoll.html Call No.: SC MS 0087 [1] box,1 linear foot OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Abstract: An interesting collection of musical scores in J. Fred. Wolle’s own hand which exhibits Wolle’s diverse musical talent. Although, Wolle is primarily known as a serious J. S. Bach scholar and founder of the Bethlehem Bach Choir, the musical scores included in this collection display both his creative side with student chorus songs of humorous nature as well as serious hymns written for church liturgies. The collection contains an assortment of secular and sacred music and two songs that mention Lehigh University in the text. Creator: Wolle, John Frederick (1863-1933) Title: John Frederick Wolle Music Manuscripts Inclusive Dates: 1884-1915; 1956 Bulk Dates: 1884-1915 Quantity/Extent: [1] box; 1 linear foot Language: Collection materials are in English. MS0087_wolle

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Repository: Lehigh University, Linderman Library, Special Collections Historical / Biographical Note: John Frederick Wolle (1863-1933) was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to a well-known Moravian musical family. As a musician, he played trombone and the organ. He was a concert organist, choral director and composer. Wolle was organist and choirmaster for the Central Moravian Church (1885-1904); organist of Lehigh University (1887-1904); pioneer in presenting the choral works of J. S. Bach in America and considered founder of the Bethlehem Bach Choir as well as a proponent of Richard Wagner’s work. He studied music in Philadelphia and Munich, Germany. From 1882-1892, Wolle conducted the Bethlehem Choral Union. It appears that the dates for these scores are from the time of 1884 to 1891. During his early years, Wolle composed or transposed a number of musical scores. Only a very few works were published. The most well-known hymn appears in the Moravian Offices of Worship and Hymns as Hymn #114 “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty” with the tune known as “Palmarum” which was written in 1888 for the Central Moravian Church. This tune was also applied to the hymn “My Heart speaks out on those who sin” appearing in the Psalter Hymnal by Gray as hymn #36. The original score of “Palmarum” is included in this collection of Wolle manuscripts as well as the original text for “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty.” A recorded version of this work appeared in 1981 on Crystal Records album played by the Moravian Trombone Choir of Downey (California). Other Wolle’s compositions also recorded appear on the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Moravian Trombone Choir albums: “Music for All Seasons: Chorales, Sonatas, Occasional Music” Crystal CD 220. From 1905- 1911, Wolle was head professor of music at University of California, Berkeley where he conducted large student choruses and was reputed to have a jovial, outgoing personality. He founded the Bethlehem Bach Choir in 1898 under the sponsorship of Bethlehem Steel Company president, Charles Schwab. Schwab enticed Wolle to return to Bethlehem with a promise of unlimited resources. In 1912, Wolle moved the Bach Festival to Lehigh campus where he was on the faculty. Ever since that time the Bach Festival is held in the Packer Memorial Church the first two weekends in May. Wolle’s sister, Helen, married Professor Charles L. Doolittle, another Lehigh faculty member. They became the parents of Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) an American poetess. Wolle married Jennie C. Stryker in 1886 they were parents of daughter, Gretchen, who donated this Wolle collection of material to Lehigh University’s Special Collections. Mr. Wolle is identified as AMG Artist #Q68354. MS0087_wolle

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Chronology: The arrangement of this collection is alphabetical according to title of musical score. The chronology is thought to be from approximately 1884 to 1915 for the music scores and 1956 for a program of a concert in Central Moravian Church’s Sesquicentennial Service May 20, 1956. Included in this service was J. Fred. Wolle’s hymn “He leads us on” which was composed in August of 1888 while Wolle was organist and choirmaster of the church. This hymn became his best known anthem and is included in this collection. The box contains fifteen folders. Scope and Contents of the Collection: This collection contains fourteen musical scores annotated, adapted or composed by John Frederick Wolle. The musical scores include: “Ambassadors of Christ,” “Aunt Jane’s Moon Song”, “Bonum? Est,” “Cloudland,” “Concert of Witches,” “The Daisy,” “Dies Ires,” adaptions for the Scottish folk song “The Four Maries,” “He Leads Us On,” “Long May She Live Our Lehigh Fair,” “Medley,” , (a nonsense song based on “Rock-a-bye Baby” and “Jingle Bells”), an organ transcription for “Die Meistersingers von Nuremberg,” “Palmarum” (tune applied to two known texts: “Ride On, Ride On In Majesty” and “My Heart Speaks Out on Those Who Sin”) written for the Central Moravian Church in 1888 and published in 1891 in Moravian Offices of Worship and Hymns, and “Uber den Sternen.” In most cases unless otherwise noted, the sheets of music measure 34 x 26.5 cm. Arrangement of the Collection: The material in this collection is arranged alphabetical according to title of musical score. Related Material: Crews, C. Daniel. 1990. Moravian Composers. Moravian Book Stacks. Larson, Paul S. 2002. American Musical Dynasty: Biography of the Wolle Family of Bethlehem, PA. Bethlehem, PA: Lehigh University Press. SC LUPL334a Moravian Church. 1987. Moravian Offices of Worship and Hymns. CRC Publishers. Remy, Alfred and Baker, Theodore. 1919. Baker’s biographical dictionary of musicians. 3rd ed. New York: G. Schirmer. Spaeth, Sigmund. 1929. Who’s Who in Music. Chicago: Who Is Who In Music, Inc. MS0087_wolle

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Separated Material: [Poster] Mass in b minor by Johan Sebastian Bach: by the Bach Choir, J. Fred Wolle, conductor, Tuesday, March 27, 1900, Moravian Church, Bethlehem. SC F, L-Bayer. RESTRICTIONS Access Restrictions: Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance. Use Restrictions: Collection is open for research. Copyright Notice: Please inquire about copyright information. SUBJECT HEADINGS / INDEXING TERMS Personal Names: Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750) Baker, Gretchen Wolle Prescott Ellow, J. Derf (1863-1933) Wagner, Richard (1813-1883) Wolle, John Frederick (1863-1933) Corporate Names: Bach Choir of Bethlehem Lehigh University Family Names: Wolle Family Place Names: Bethlehem (Pa.) Subjects: Moravians Music Composers Genre and Forms: Notebooks Musical manuscripts MS0087_wolle

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Occupations: Musicians Composers

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred citation: John Frederick Wolle Music Manuscripts SC MS 0087, Special Collections, Linderman Library, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA Acquisition Information: The original musical manuscripts were donated by Mrs. Gretchen Wolle Baker, daughter of Dr. John Frederick Wolle on two occasions: in 1942 the Bach scores used by her father and this collection of non-Bach scores in May 1956. FINDING AID INFORMATION Created by: Ilhan Citak and Eleanor Nothelfer Date: February 7, 2012 Finding aid revision history: Finding aid revised, July 22, 2016 INVENTORY / DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION SC MS 0087.01 “Ambassadors of Christ.” Complete orchestral score (8 pages) and separate scores for Solo Soprano (1 page), Soprano (3 pages), Alto (2 pages), Tenor (1 page), Bass (2 pages). The date noted on the score is June 1, 1886. SC MS 0087.02 “Aunt Jane’s Moon Song” and Lehigh University Alma Mater Song. Music composed by J. Fred. Wolle. March 12, 1901. This folder contains a printed page of the poem “Aunt Jane’s Moon Song with not author as well as a single page of penciled musical staff and notes on the front of a double folded musical sheet. On the back of the sheet are the penciled staff and notes for a score titled: “Lehigh University – Alma Mater Song. Music composed by J. Fred. Wolle. March 12 – 1901” SC MS 0087.03 “Bonum Est” by J. Fred Wolle Allegro Maestoso Dedicated to MS0087_wolle

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the Class of ’84. M. T. S.(in black ink) Psalm XCII (in pencil). Two copies of complete score in ink for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Basso, Organo; seven copies of Soprano score; two copies of Alto score; three copies of Tenor score; two copies of Basso score; one copy of Basso Primo; one copy of Basso Secundo; one copy of Tenore Solo; one copy of Soprano Solo; one copy of First Alto Solo; one copy of Second Alto Solo; two pages of concluding score. SC MS 0087.04 “Cloudland.” (Score written in pencil) (Text written in pencil: “I’m standing by the gate, dear. Where oft we stood before and listened to the lullaby…”). SC MS 0087.05 “Concert of Witches” music by J. Fred Wolle, Sept. 1915 (written in pencil). Complete score with song text:” Merrily dance we, Merrily dance we, around the old oak tree, full many will dance this Terrible night, but none will be merry but we; The ships shall dance on the Yeasty waves, the billows shall dance and roll and many screech of despair Shall rise from many a sin sick soul.” Second score is written in ink with notation for first and second witch. Although Dr. Wolle does not cite the origin of the text, the text appears to be an old song brought along by the Germans when they settled in Northampton County. The words on Wolle’s music sheet also appear on page 45 in “History of the Lehigh Valley” by M. S. Henry, 1860, published by Bixler & Corwin, Easton, PA. under the title “Concert of Witches.” SC MS 0087.06 “The Daisy” music set to a poem by Clifford Howard written for The Evening Star, Washington, February 20, 1982. The poem is written in both English and German: “Alone by the meadow a little white flower awakes from its sleep to peep forth from its bower. Tis only a daisy which nature has told to harbor the secret its death will unfold to harbor the secret its death will unfold. Beside the bright meadow a sad little maiden – Sweet Gretchen – is passing, her heart heavy laden. She spies the lone daisy and Forward she springs and plucking its petals she eagerly sings, “Er liebt Ich, ganz innig, von Herzen, mit Schmerzen, Ein wenig,m und gar nicht; Er liebt mich, von Herzen!” Dear Gretchen rejoices; her sorrows depart, For the soul of the daisy now blooms in her heart.” The music score has four pages and the poem is a newspaper clipping. The name Gretchen in the poem is the same name of Mr. Wolle’s daughter and perhaps inspired Mr. Wolle to compose this score. SC MS 0087.07 “Dies Irae” (most famous of the Gregorian chants with a 13th MS0087_wolle

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century medieval Latin poem thought to be written by Thomas of Celano. Many musicians have written various scores to the poem.) This folder has Three scores – one in pencil measures 26.5 x 34 cm with corners cut out has signature with date 1890 and two in ink: one has no date measures 11.5 x 20.5 cm, one has signature J. Fred Wolle – 1889 measures 10.5 x 26.5, No text. SC MS 0087.08 “The Four Maries” Arr. By J. Fred. Wolle 1891(Scottish folk tune). The folder contains six scores and text: one score written in pencil measures 34. X 26.5 cm; five scores in ink: First Tenor, Second Tenor, First Bass, Second Bass, and inked version of pencil score which measure 10 x 26.5 cm. Text reads: “Last night there were four Maries, Tonight there’ll be but three. There was Mary Beaton and Mary Seaton and Mary Carmichael and me.” SC MS 0087.09 “He Leads Us On” The folder contains the entire orchestral score as well as instrumental and voice sections. The words to the hymn are noted by Wolle to be Hiram O. Wiley’s variation of Psalm 23:1-3. This is Wolle’s best known Moravian anthem. It was composed in August 1888 according to notation in the program of the Central Moravian Church’s Sesquicentennial Services May 20, 1956 when it was sung as part of the thanksgiving service. However, notation on some of the scores indicate a date of 1904. SC MS 0087.09.01 Handwritten ink score featuring Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass and Organ musical lines composed of 12 pages SC MS 0087.09.02 Violin I Handwritten ink score out of four pages only two pages are scored, two are blank. SC MS 0087.09.03 Violin II Handwritten ink score all four pages of the part are scored. SC MS 0087.09.04 Violino I Handwritten ink score six pages of score with two blank pages. SC MS 0087.09.05 Corno. I in E Handwritten ink and pencil score four pages with the first page patched on right edge. SC MS 0087.09.06 Corno II in E Handwritten ink score one page. SC MS 0087.09.07 Trombone Tenor Handwritten ink score -- two copies of one MS0087_wolle

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page score: one page is written with smaller size notation with A.H.L. Sept 1904 printed at last score notation; second copy written with larger notation with no 1904 notation. SC MS 0087.09.08 Trombone Alto Handwritten ink score -- two copies of one page score – same notation as previous. SC MS 0087.09.09 Trombone Basso Handwritten ink score – same as previous. SC MS 0087.09.10 Violoncello Handwritten ink score –two pages of score written in similar large hand as previous. SC MS 0087.09.11 Contra Basso Handwritten ink score – same as previous. SC MS 0087.09.12 Corno II in E Handwritten ink score – one page of score written in large hand. SC MS 0087.09.13 He Leads Us On All Rights Reserved Hiram O. Wiley (on left side of printed score, on right side is J. Fred Wolle) This printed score measures 32 x 24 cm and four pages noted for four voices: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass. On the back of each page is a purple ink property stamp: Lehigh University Library Feb 22 1956. SC MS 0087.09.14 Hymn “He leads us on” Words by Hiram O. Wiley Music by J. Fred Wolle First Violin A.H.L. 1904 on title page. Score measures 26.5 x 24 cm; three pages are bound together. There are two copies of this inked score. SC MS 0087.09.15 Second Violin/Violin II “He leads us on” J. F. Wolle. Score measures 26.5 x 24 cm. There are two copies of this inked score of three bound pages. SC MS 0087.09.16 Viola “He leads us on” J.F. Wolle. Same as previous. SC MS 0087.09.17 Violoncello. He leads us on. Score measures 26.5 x 24 cm. The score is inked and at the last bar is A.H.L. Sept. 1904 in very small hand. There is only one copy of score. SC MS 0087.09.18 Contrabasso He leads us on. On top left corner in pencil: J.F. Wolle 46 E. Ch St. Score measures 26.5 x 24 cm. Score is inked and at the last bar is A.H.L. Sept. 1904 in very small hand. The score has two bound pages. MS0087_wolle

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SC MS 0087.09.19 HE LEADS US ON By. J. Fred. Wolle 1888 (on label) Bound complete orchestral score measures 26.5 x 34 cm in brown oaktag with spine binding of burgundy leather dedicated “To James Robinson” – score has 33 numbered pages. SC MS 0087.09.20 HE LEADS US ON J. Fred. Wolle. 25 Aug 1888 (on label) Bound complete orchestral score measures 26.5 x 34 cm in brown oaktag with green spine binding. On inside of oaktag cover is Lehigh University Library bookplate “Gift of Mrs. G. Prescott Baker” with purple inked Property stamp Lehigh University Library Dec 2 1955. In both black and white ink is classification number 784.2 W864 h T. Score is also dedicated in pencil “To James Robinson” On page number 21 at the last bar in ink is written Aug. 25th 1888. This score appears to be the one Wolle used for the Bach choir and orchestra. SC MS 0087.10 “Long May She Live Our Lehigh Fair” Medley – ’91 Complete score of two pages written in pencil. Scores for First Tenor, Second Tenor, Second Bass – one page each written in ink. SC MS 0087.11 Medley by J. Derf Ellow (J. Fred Wolle spelled backwards) Written on first page of score in pencil. Entire score covers two pages: Text reads: “We meet again tonight boys with mirth and song. Let melody flow where ever we go. Dwell in friendship ever so true and strong with his tail cut short and his ears cut long. Where can he be. Where did you get that hat, where did you get that tile Isn’t it a nobby one and just the proper style I should like to have one just the same as that. Where-e’er I go they shout HelOh the bulldog on the banks and the bull-frog in the pool, the bull dog on the bank and the bull-frog in the pool (repeat). Baby is sleeping so cozy and fair. Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top When the wind blows the cradle will rock, When the bough breaks the cradle will fall and down will come baby cradle and all Oh rockabye rockabye Johnnie Jones and his sister Sue & the peach of emerald here that grew and that grew. Listen to my tale of Here’s to good old Lehigh here drink down drink her down Here’s to good old Lehigh drink her down drink her down down down down went Mcginty to the bottom of the say. Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. One house Annie Rooney She’s my sweetheart I’m her beau She’s my Annie I’m her Joe Soon we’ll marry never to part.” The complete score is written in pencil. The two pages of each score for I Tenore, II Tenore, one page each for I Basso, II Basso which are written in ink. MS0087_wolle

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SC MS 0087.12 “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg” Wagner. Transcribed by J. Fred Wolle. Four sheets of penciled score for organ. SC MS 0087.13 “Palmarum”/”Ride On, Ride On In Majesty”/My Heart Speaks Out on those who Sin” musical score written in pencil measures14 x 26.5 cm. The tune “Palmarum” was written in 1888 for the Central Moravian Church and published in 1891 in the Moravian Office of Worship and Hymns. The tune was first used as a setting for “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” (Hymn #114 in Hymnal of the Moravian Church, 1969 edition) this title is written on this score with a notation in upper left corner “For Lent.” Later the tune was used for a missionary hymn “Fling Out the Banner.” In Gray’s Psalter Hymnal the hymn “My Heart speaks Out on those who sin” (Hymn #36) also has the tune “Palmarum.” SC MS 0087.14 “Uber den Sternen” Thirteen scores: six for Tenor , five for Soprano measures 17.5 x 26.5 cm, one each for Alto, and instrumental Score , the remaining scores measure 34 x 26.5 cm. The text: “Ueber den Sternen da wird es einst tagen da wird dein Hoffen dein Sehnen gestillt; Was du gelitten und was du getragen dort in all machtiges Wesen vergillt; Dort in allmachtiges Wesen vergillt.” SC MS 0087.15 Assortment of related material: Untitled music scores, program, Library catalog cards. SC MS 0087.15.01 Tune 99b Music sheet measures 26.5 x 20.5cm score written in ink; text: “Oh, there’s a sight that sends my heart, Nor can it from my mind depart, How Thou on Olive didst languish; O Lord, for Thy soul’s agony, When wrestling there with death for me, Make me a trophy of Thine anguish.” SC MS 0087.15.02 Three Keys. Musical Nonsense by J. Fred Wolle. Music sheet measures 26.5 x 34 cm double paged but score is written only in top third of sheet. SC MS 0087.15.03 Sesquicentennial Services 1806-May-1956 The Central Moravian Church May 20, 1956. Among several trombone chorales and vocal choirs, program includes J. Fred Wolle’s “He leads us on” sung by Miss Nellie Musselman, Soprano and Mr. Eric Belar, Base. A history about the origins of the hymn as well as the entire poetic text is presented. SC MS 0087.15.04 Photocopy of Bethlehem Globe Times May 1956 describes the MS0087_wolle

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presentation of the Wolle manuscripts to Lehigh University by Wolle’s daughter, Mrs. Gretchen Wolle Prescott Baker. SC MS 0087.15.05 Six library cataloging cards with the notation 784.2 W864 SC MS 0087.16 Music manuscript (1922) “To Bethlehem town’s in the long ago…” Music by J. Fred Wolle, lyrics by William E. Brooks, D.D. 33 x 24 cm. also includes a typed lyrics (11/11/2014 from Paul Larson, Bach Choir archivist)

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revised: July 22, 2016