A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Tuckerman, Samuel

by George Grove

TUCKERMAN, Samuel Parkman, Mus.D., born at Boston, Mass., U.S., Feb. 17 [App. p.804 "Feb. 11"], 1819. At an early age he received instruction in church music and organ-playing from Charles Zeuner. From 1840, and for some years after, he was organist and director of the choir in St. Paul's Church, Boston, and during that time published two collections of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 'The Episcopal Harp' (chiefly original compositions) and 'The National Lyre,' the latter with S. A. Bancroft, and Henry K. Oliver. In 1849 he went to England, to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the English cathedral school of church music, both ancient and modern. For the first two years he pursued his studies in London, and afterwards resided in Canterbury, York, Durham, Winchester and Salisbury, in each of them devoting himself to his favourite study. For about two years Dr. Tuckerman lived at Windsor, and enjoyed the advantage of daily attendance at the services in St. George's Chapel. In 1853 he took the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music, and then returned to the United States, and resumed his connection with St. Paul's Church in his native city. He lectured upon 'Church Music in the Old World and the New,' and gave several public performances of cathedral and church music from the 4th to the 19th century. In 1856 he returned to England, and remained four years. During this interval he made large additions to his musical library, which at present contains about 2000 volumes, many of them rare and valuable works. It includes many full scores and a large and valuable collection of motets, anthems, and services, both ancient and modern, of the Italian and English schools.

Dr. Tuckerman's compositions will be found in Novello's catalogues. They comprise several services, a festival anthem, 'I was glad,' six short anthems, and the anthem (or cantata) 'I looked and behold a door was opened in heaven,' the latter written (though not required) as an exercise for his Doctor's degree. He also compiled and edited 'Cathedral Chants' for use in the choirs of the Episcopal Church, in the United States. This work, published in 1858, has had a large circulation. In 1864 he edited the 'Trinity Collection of Church Music,' consisting of hymn tunes, selected, arranged, and composed for the choir of Trinity Church, New York, by Edward Hodges, Mus. Doc., formerly of Bristol, adding to it many of his own compositions. His MS. works contain a Burial Service, two anthems, 'Hear my prayer,' and 'Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,' carols, chants and part-songs. In 1852 he received a diploma from The Academy of St. Cecilia, Rome. [App. p.804 "Add that he succeeded Dr. Hodges as Organist of Trinity Church, New York."]

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