The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-10
A MUSICAL GENIUS.
an Indianapolis Composer Who Is Regarded
By Many as the Equal of Gottschalk.

On the evening Of Sept "a a concert was given
ut Tomlinson Hail. 1t was well attended the
audience being composed largely of practical
music people-that is, people who make their
livelihood ia teaching music, and others whose
knowledge Of music is better than that OF the
usual attendants upon concerts. The music
was keenly relished by these experts, who we're
enjoying novelty, for each and every one OF the
twelve numbers upon the programme, all the
music, vocal and instrumental was the compo-
sition of an Indianapolis composer-Hu-
bert J. Schumacher. Mr.. Schumacher is a
born musician, both his father and
mother having been possessed of great musical
talent His mother, in her younger days in
Germany, in a quiet way, achieved considerable
local reputation as singer, and his father was,
previous to and during the war, piano maker
il Detroit. Mr.. Schumacher was born in north
ern Ohio forty four years age and went into
the army in Company A, First Michigan Regi-
ment. His whole life has beer given to music,
and his musical compositions began when
mere boy He plays only upon the piano and
the organ, but has written music for full orches-
tration, and there is no variety of musical COM
position that he has not achieved Those who
have heard him upon the piano and are compe-
tent to judge, pronounce him much like
Gottschak in touch and feeling, and many
of has admirers hold him to be the equal of that
great genius, He was great admirer of Gott-
Bchak and though much younger, they were
personal friends. Mr.. Schumacher, who is thor
oughly American some time ago expressed de-
sire that the so-called American opera company
should have American singers and produce
American operas He was asked where any
compositions suitable for a frst-class patronage
could be obtained, and called to mind fact not
generally known that Gottschalk wrote two
operas that have never been produced in this
country. The inquirer was somewhat cynical,
but Mr.. Schonacker firmly expressed his conf
dence in their merit, saying all that was neces-
sary to know was that they were written by the
same hand and composed by the same brain that
gave the world Lowing Heart Trust On"
Dir. Schonackers point has been to bring out
American talent. AT an organ recital few
years ago, he played only compositions of local
composers and awoke the city to the fact that
there were number Of unappreciated geniuses
right under their eyes.
His music is much like that of Gottschak in
character, though his originality, which is un-
Aoubted, gives to his compositions standings pc
Suiiarly his own. Ia Everything he writes there
10 delicate undercurrent Of pathos that is ten
der and charming. His range includes all the
passions, aud his theory is that there is no emo
ton, 40 swell Of feeling from the softest and
that cannot be musically expressed Those who
know him intimately say that, if his music could
be fully interpreted, It would be found to con-
tain his complete autobiography. When the
frenzy of composition is upon him he does an al
Anost incredible amount of work, his labor fire.
gusntly continuing through the long and quiet
watches OF the night until morning. 1.-THE
Laughing Syrens," well-known air, came into
his head like tricksy spirit, while he was en-
gagged upon q classical composition He tried
fO T. 10
and was finally obliged even against his desire
to write out this beautiful and fantastic compo-
siton In order to be able TO go on with his other
task
among which are X. NJ. Reckanosch THE name.
outside the initials. being an anagram of his
own, Paul Revere, Leasing, Len Fairfield, X.
M Greene, and Louis Erhard. Some of the
reason that it was written merely for money,
others cut of mere within snd fancy. Some of
his music has been published here, some in St
Louis, where, for two years. he taught in the
Musical Conservatory, and the greater part of it
In Cincinnati. Among his popular piano com
positions may bs mentioned June IDEAL"
'Tarentelle.' Whispering Pines" "Marche
Miitaire,a ILLUSION Perdu," ''Nocturne," and
''rhe Elenore VALUES" Among the vocal com
positions are when Through Life" 'tAuf
Wiedersehn." "Antony and Cleopatra, polka
di Bravura," ''Au Revoir," Lady Arise and
''All Hands, Alloy" In his sacred music may
orchestral score. He has written great
amount of Catholic music and voluntaries and
efertories
He is quiet, dfident man who makes few
acquaintance, but those who come to know him
are fast friends He loves quiet musical joke.
and loves it all the better that it hurts no one.
loves it though it may be delicate that there
may be but himself and kindred soul or two to
enjoy it, AS an illustration: He was once play
ing upon the piano at concert when the cry of
larmOQV Hight. OUlcklv
ran the music off Tito 'Gottschaks Lullaby
which tickled the really musical part Of his audi
ence greatly. On another occasion. at the
Tabernacle Church, last spring, the church one
Sunday was decorated with primroses. a
strange conceit got possession of this 'Tom
Pinch as he began the offertory. and the organ
took the theme of Pinsuti's Primrose Flower
with long series of beautiful and delicate inn
provtsatons. The church folks were quite un-
conscious, but the composer considered it quite
musical joke.
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