The church music of William Billings

Both in the extent and the substance of his work, William Billings was the most important composer of the pioneer period of American church music, the last third of the i8th century. His compositions consisted of anthems and psalm tunes -- sacred music except for a handful of the anthems. In his own day Billings was much admired. But even before his death a change of taste in church music had begun to take place, and this became so pronounced in a few years that Billings was almost completely forgotten except in certain rural sections of the South. In recent years an antiquarian interest in Americana has resulted in the publishing of some of Billings' psalms and anthems, including examples of the "fuguing tunes" with which he is chiefly, but erroneously, associated in the popular mind. Those who have sampled the music have found it fresh and enjoyable. They fail to understand why so many writers on musical subjects during the past half century have been both derogatory and patronizing in their appraisal of Billings' work. These detractors agree that he had tremendous enthusiasm and a certain dramatic flair; but, once these admissions have been made, the barbs have been thrust in deeply. Just how illiterate was Billings? It is the opinion of the present writer that Billings' detractors are almost totally wrong in their criticisms. His works do contain glaring faults and weaknesses; but they are seldom those of which he has been accused. - Publisher.