Here are some of my favorite Hymnals:
Presbyterian 1955 Hymnbook: http://amzn.to/2zSRdpL
Episcopal 1940 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DEOl1H
Broadman 1940 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2C1WuwK
Methodist 1939 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2CfJ1Wq
Pilgrim 1935 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DDvbJC
Now Sings My Soul, New Songs for the Lord by: Linda Bonney Olin: http://amzn.to/2DQ6gUy
Choice Hymns of the Faith 1945 http://amzn.to/2Dx97nA
Book of Psalms for Singing https://amzn.to/2ygM00b (1912 Psalter is unavailable)
Here are my new projects:
Hymns Ancient and Modern https://amzn.to/3dfaHIY
J S Bach Riemenschneider 371 Harmonized Chorales http://amzn.to/2DSy5f9
References:
Dictionary of Hymnology: http://amzn.to/2BxPabk
American Hymns Old and New https://amzn.to/3fqkkVU
The 1955 Hymnbook, published by the four main Presbyterian denominations at that time, was the first hymnal I recorded; it is the one I grew up singing. I recorded it as a gift to my parents which quickly evolved into a gift for everybody. It turned out to be the most ecumenical of all of the 10 hymnals I have recorded. The Episcopal 1940 Hymnal shared very little with the 1940 Broadman Hymnal outside of 50 or so hymns which are present in nearly all hymnals. Hymns which are clearly Baptistic in character were not found in the Episcopal hymnal. And the Broadman doesn’t contain the type of “High Church” hymns typical of the Episcopal hymnal. However, the Presbyterian Hymnbook had plenty of hymns common to both of these traditions as well as a number of Spirituals and even a few Korean hymns. (The largest churches in Korea are Presbyterian.)
The choices made in putting together a list of 500 – 700 hymns which will become the liturgy of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people for a generation is no small matter. It usually involves a committee who argues for a year or three over the chosen contents. The results reflect deeply upon the theology and world view of each denomination. The generational shifts in content also reflect the theological changes these denominations experience. The old Lutheran hymnals would be utterly alien to a modern ELCA church both musically and theologically. The same can be said of the early Methodist hymnals and the UMC.
I am currently working on recording the hymns of Isaac Watts, (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, plus hundreds more) and have begun working through the historic Lutheran Book Concern, Columbus, Ohio, 1908.
You can follow this link: Andrew Remillard’s Hymnal Playlist and listen the various hymnals I have recorded.
