(Continued from the September, 1914, issue)
Léhar, Franz. Born Kohorn, Hungary, 1870. Formerly a military bandmaster, now perhaps the most noted composer of light opera of the day. His most successful work is The Merry Widow. The popularity of these works has reëstablished Vienna as the fountain from which the best waltzes flow.
Linke, Paul. Born Berlin, 1866. Teacher of piano. Composer of operettas and such popular pieces as Glow Worm, Amina, Little Bird.
Lysberg, Charles Samuel (real name, Bovy). Born Lysberg, Switzerland, 1821; died Geneva, 1873. Pupil of Chopin, an excellent teacher and the composer of many excellent piano pieces, including Baladine-Fountain, Awakening of the Birds.
Martin, George Dudley. Born Scranton, Pa. Fine teacher and composer of many popular pieces, among the best known of which are the waltzes, Eros, Little Lovers, Sweet Souvenir, Pittoresque, and the airs de ballet: La Ballerina, Coquetterie, Wood Nymphs, also To a Portrait, Felicitations March, etc.
Mason, Dr. William. Born Boston, Mass., 1820; died New York, 1908. William Mason’s ability as a teacher, like that of Leschetizky, has somewhat obscured his gifts as a composer, yet he has written some delightful piano pieces, such as Danse Rustique, Silver Spring, Spring Dawn.
Mattei, Tito. Born Campobosso, near Naples, 1841; died London, 1914. Composer of much excellent piano music, including in addition to two operas, ballet, etc. Among his piano pieces may be mentioned Valse de Concert, Tourbillon.
Messager, André Charles Prosper. Born Montlucon, France, 1853. A famous conductor of the Paris Opera and also of the Covent Garden Opera, and composer of many delightful operettas, the most noted of which are Veronique and Les Petites Michus.
Meyer-Helmund, Erik. Born St. Petersburg, 1861. Has written three operas, a ballet and many excellent songs. He was himself a successful concert singer. Dance, Mazurka, Arabesque, Daily Question.
Millöcker, Karl. Born Vienna, 1842; died Baden, near Vienna, 1899. Famous director, and composer of light operas and pianoforte pieces. Of his operettas Der Bettelstudent is best known.
Monckton, Lionel. Born London, 1862. Clever composer and critic, who contributed many popular songs to such works as The Shop Girl, The Geisha, San Toy, The Arcadians, etc.
Molloy, James Lyman. Born Cornolore, Ireland, 1837; died Bucks, England, 1909. Composed many songs of great popularity, including Love’s Old Sweet Song, The Kerry Dance, Rose-Marie, etc.
Nevin, Ethelbert Woodbridge. Born Edgeworth, Pa., 1862: died New Haven, Conn., 1901. One of the most popular composers America has yet produced. His best known songs and pieces are probably Oh, That We Two Were Maying, The Rosary, Narcissus and A Day in Venice. He is always melodious and his harmonies are rich and interesting.
Oesten, Theodor. Berlin, 1813-70. Excellent teacher and composer of many piano pieces, including Carnival of Venice, Les premières violettes, Alpine Glow, Gondellied, etc.
Offenbach, Jacques (real name, Levy). Born Cologne, Germany, 1819; died Paris 1880. Brilliant composer of light opera, whose lack of training was compensated for by his gift for melody and piquant orchestration. Among his best known works are Orphées aux enfers, La belle Helène, La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein, etc. The recent revival of Les contes d’Hoffmann, with its tuneful Barcarolle, has reawakened an interest in Offenbach’s works.
Petrie, H. W. Born Bloomington, Ill, 1868. A well known American teacher and composer of popular songs, anthems, pieces, etc. Among his piano pieces may be mentioned Over the Ocean Blue, Asleep in the Deep, Cleopatra Intermezzo, To the Fairest, The Keepsake, Darling, Good Night.
Planquette, Jean Robert. Born Fumay, Ardennes, France; died there 1903. Wrote much catchy music for cafés, etc., until he achieved success as a writer of operettas. His most noteworthy work is the ever-tuneful Chimes of Normandy. Paul Jones was also very popular.
Poldini, Eduard. Born Budapest, 1869. Famous composer of light opera and piano pieces. Among the latter may be mentioned The Dancing Doll, Marche Mignonne, Valse Serenade, The Music Box and the Valse Charmeuse.
Prudent, Emile. Born Angoulême, France, 1817; died Paris, 1863. Was eminently successful as a pianist after the style of Thalberg. Composed operatic transcriptions and piano pieces; his best known works being Reveil des Fees, Andante, from William Tell, Huguenots.
Raff, Joseph Joachim. Born Lachen, Germany, 1822; died Frankfort, 1882. Self-taught composer of exceptional ability; friend of Liszt; teacher of MacDowell. Wrote symphonies, etc., and also shorter piano pieces, violin pieces, etc. His Cavatina is his most popular work. Fileuse, Fablian, Polka de la Reine are also well liked.
Read, Edward M. Born Colchester, Vt., 1846. Well known organist, composer and teacher, at present residing, in St. Louis. His piano pieces include Sunset-Nocturne and Cloister Bells.
Richards, Henry Brinsley. Born Carmarthen, Wales, 1817; died London, 1885. Eminent pianist and composer of many popular pieces, transcriptions, etc. His God Bless the Prince of Wales, written at the time the late King Edward, when Prince of Wales, recovered from a serious illness, is still very popular in England. Warblings at Eve is perhaps his best known piece in America. Her Bright Smile and Marie may also be mentioned.
Roeckel, Joseph Leopold. Born London, 1838; died 1908. Pianist and teacher; wrote a number of songs and cantatas, and under the pseudonyms Eduard Dorn and Jules de Sivrai wrote many piano pieces and transcriptions. The best known of his pieces are Sur la Rive, Air du Dauphin, Bird in Hand, Devoted Apple.
Rogers, James H. Born Fair Haven, Conn., 1857. One of the most tuneful of living American composers. Apart from his more elaborate works, he has written a number of songs and pieces which reveal a fine vein of musical poetry. All these works are extremely melodious and are full of delicate harmonic subtleties. Among them may be mentioned Dialogue, First Robin, Alla Marcia.
Rosellen, Louis Henry. Paris. 1811-76. Fine teacher and composer of over two hundred pieces that were well liked in their day. Best remembered by Tremolo, Marseillaise.
Sartorio, Arnold. Born Frankfort, Germany. Noted piano teacher and composer of a large number of tuneful piano pieces, including Dreams of Youth, Just Good Natured, Little Italian Song, Military March, Tone Blossoms.
Schulhoff, Julius. Born Prague, 1825; died Berlin, 1898. Successful pianist and composer, who wrote a number of good piano pieces, including an arrangement of Mozart’s Menuet in E Flat, also Valse Brilliant, Op. 6 and Op. 20.
Schütt, Eduard. Born St. Petersburg, 1856. Noted modern pianist; has composed in larger forms, but is best known by his piano pieces, including the popular waltz A la bien aimée, Etude Mignonne, Confession, Reveries.
Seeboeck, W. C. E. Born Vienna, 1860; died Chicago, Ill., 1906. A fine teacher and pianist. Composed many songs and pieces, including Dream Fairy, Orientale, Menuet Al Antico.
Smith, Sydney. Born Dorchester, England, 1839; died 1889. Wrote a number of showy pieces and transcriptions, including Harpe Eolienne, Lily of the Valley, Queen of the Fairies.
Smith, William Seymour. Born Marlow, England, 1836; died 1905. Teacher of singing and composer of cantatas, songs and a number of piano pieces, including Dorothy, Lady Betty.
Smith, Wilson G. Born Elyria, Ohio, 1855. Noted pianist and composer of many excellent piano compositions of a kind that are attractive and at the same time show him to be a serious musician of fine ideals. Among them may be mentioned Babbling Brook, March Fantastique, Spinning Wheel, etc.
Solomon, Edward. England, 1855-95. Composer of bright operettas, The Nautch Girl, etc.
Sousa, John Philip. Born Washington, D. C., 1856. “The March King” is so well known as a conductor and composer that a list of his successful pieces would fill a column. Among his comic operas El Capitan is perhaps best known, and among his marches may be mentioned Washington Post, Stars and Stripes, or any one of a score of others.
Spindler, Fritz. Born Würzbach, 1817; died Niederlössnitz, near Dresden, 1906. Successful teacher and composer of a large number of popular piano pieces, including Fresh Life, Charge of the Hussars, Sylphs, Convent Bells.
Strauss, Oscar. Born Vienna, 1870. Pupil of Max Bruch. Well known conductor and composer of light operas, among the most popular of which are The Waltz Dream and The Chocolate Soldier.
Strauss. The name of a famous family of Viennese musicians whose waltzes have proved to be perhaps the most intoxicating in existence. The principal members of the family are as follows: Johann (I), 1804-49, the son of the keeper of a dance hall; military bandmaster and leader of his own orchestra, afterwards conductor of the court balls at Vienna; wrote over 150 waltzes, quadrilles and marches. Johann (II), 1825-99, son of above, and most famous of the family. Against the wishes of his father he adopted a musical career. Won great success as conductor of a café orchestra. Among his compositions may be mentioned the charming operetta Die Fledermaus, and the famous waltzes Blue Danube, Wine, Woman and Song, etc. His brother, Joseph (1827-70), Eduard (1835), also distinguished themselves along the same lines.
Streabbog. (Reversed name of Gobbaerts, q. v.)
Streletzki, Anton (pseudonym for A. B. Burnand; also wrote under the name of Stepan Essipoff). Born Croydon, 1859; died 1907. Brilliant pianist and composer of piano pieces, among which may be mentioned Reverie Nocturne, Serenade Aurora.
Sullivan, Arthur Seymour. London, 1842-1900. The most prominent English composer of his day, who in addition to much work of a serious nature composed the music to W. S. Gilbert’s brilliant librettos, producing the famous Savoy operas. Among them may be mentioned H. M. S. Pinafore. The Mikado, Patience, The Yeomen of the Guard, etc. The periodic revivals of these works go to show that though light in character they are of rare musical worth.
Suppé, Franz von. Born Spalato, Dalmatia, 1820; died Vienna, 1895. Composed a large number of very popular operettas, and now best remembered by the overture to Poet and Peasant. Also composed Light Cavalry, Bocaccio, etc.
Thalberg, Sigismond. Born Geneva, 1812; died Naples, 1871. One of the greatest pianists of his day, remarkable for the singing tone he produced. Wrote many transcriptions and pieces for the piano in a brilliant style, but one which has waned in popularity. He introduced the modern custom of writing a melody in the middle of the keyboard with accompaniment above and below it, frequently employing three staves to make this clear to performers. Among his pieces may be mentioned an arrangement of Home, Sweet Home, the Viola Melody and Norma Fantasie.
Thomé, Francis (Francois Luc Joseph). Born Port Louis, Mauritius, 1850; died Paris, 1909. Noted teacher and composer of piano pieces, among the most popular of which are Simple Aveu, Papillons Roses, Under the Leaves.
Vilbac, Alphonse Charles Renaud de. Born Montpellier, 1829; died Brussels, 1884. Famous organist and pianist, composer of operas and much popular pianoforte music, including Blow Bugles, Elisire D’Amour, Barber of Seville.
Wachs, Etienne Victor Paul. Born Paris, 1851. Brilliant pianist, organist and writer on theoretical subjects, composer of a number of popular piano pieces such as Mystery, Shower of Stars, Muscadins, Elancee, Rose and Butterfly.
Waldteufel, Emil. Born Strassburg, 1837. Wrote a number of popular waltzes, including Espana, Estudiantina, etc.
Wallace. William Vincent. Born Waterford, Ireland; died Chateau de Bages, France, 1835. Best known as the composer of Maritana, though he wrote a number of operas, songs and piano pieces. He led a very wandering existence, visiting Australia, Mexico, United States, South America, etc. After 1853 lived chiefly in London and Paris. Polka de Concert, Night Winds, Le Reve, etc., are shorter pieces of his that still find favor.
Wagner, Josef Franz. Vienna, 1856-1908. Noted composer of operettas and military marches, the best known of the latter being Under the Double Eagle and Dudes’ March.
Williams, Frederick A. Born Oberlin, O., 1869. Well known American composer, teacher and pianist at present in Cleveland. Among his many popular compositions may be mentioned On the Lake, At Evening, and Jubilee March.
Wilson, Grenville Dean. Born Plymouth. Conn., 1833; died Nyack, N. Y., 1897. American teacher and composer of many popular piano pieces, including Chapel in the Mountains, Wayside Chapel, Shepherd Boy, Moonlight on the Hudson.
Wolff, Edouard. Born Warsaw, Poland, 1816; died 1880. Concert pianist, who settled in Paris in 1835. Wrote a large number of pianoforte works, including La Triumphale, Songs of the Night.
Wollenhaupt, Hermann Adolf. Born Schkeuditz, 1827; died New York, 1863. Composed a number of effective works for the piano, including Gazelle Polka, Last Smile, Etude Op. 22, No. 1, Whispering Wind.
Wyman, Addison P. Born Cornish, N. H., 1832; died Washington, Pa., 1872. Teacher of violin and composer of many piano pieces, including the well known Silvery Waves, Woodland Echoes, Music Among the Pines, etc,
Ziehrer, C. M. Born Vienna, 1843. Well known song composer and composer of dance music, military marches, etc., in Vienna. He has written comic operas, including Der Liebeswalzer, and over six hundred dances and marches. Love Letter, Vienna Girls are two pieces that are still remembered.
