The Portland daily press., 1897-03-15

York and playing there and in Philadel-
phia few weeks, the members finally
came TO Boston where they concluded to
separate. Mr.. Kotschmar had about de-
tsrnlined to settle permanently in Boston
hen gentleman called upon him stat
ing that he had an engagement TO lead
the orchestra in Portland theatre for Mr..
Joseph Proctor, famous in the role OF
"The Jibbenainosay, but later this
same gentleman had received an offer to
teach in young ladies' school and
would Mr.. Kotzschmar take his place ?
Alter some hesitation he replied that he
must sleep over it before deciding but SO
great was Mr.. Gurefeldt's anxiety to
learn his decision that he went to Mr..
Kotzschmar' room at four o'clock in the
morning arousing him with the query
'Have you decided to gof' and the little
affirmative eyes" proved the decisive
turning point in Mr.. Kotzsohmar's life.
That day he left for Portland, Maine,
and Portland has been his home for
forty-seven years.
A picture of Mr.. Kotzschmar taken ct
that time would now hardly be recog-
nized. The face was much FOUNDER while
spectacles somewhat concealed the merry
twinkle of the brown eyes. The hair was
nearly black and worn quite long, FASH
ion always affected by German students.
Soon after coming to Portland MIR.
Kotzsohmar had a large class of piano
pupils and the following year Mr.. Robin
son, then the organist at the First Parish.
being obliged on account. of i'll health to
filled the vacancy and has been organist
and musical director of the First Parish
from that time. period of forty-six
years, the longest record, we believe.
that can be shown by any organist in the
United States. Ministers have come and
gone, leading menbers of this ancient
church have died, boys and girls have
grown up to be the pillars and support
ofsthe "old First Parrish" but MIR.
Kotzschmar has remained unchanged,
save as years have whitened the once
dark hair end time has indented cheek
and brow. The skilled hand has lost none
of its cunning, the active brain still
thinks its beautiful musical thoughts,
this loving devout heart still gives to the
service such tenderness, such dignity,
that all the ministers tho have filed this
honored pulpit from DIR. Nichols to Mr..
Perkins. gratefully acknowledge the up
lifting help and power they gain from
the music of the deep toned orRan.ss Our
dearly loved DR.. Fl i'll frequently spoke of
the marvellous way in which MIR.
Kotzsok mar seemed to anticipate his
subject and interpret upon the organ the
lon9ings and aspirations of his soul.
long time as has been his privilege
without the formation of bond strong
and enduring. and from the First Parish
he has always received the heartiest sup
port, and warmest admiration. 1t cam
NOTICE saying too much to claim that they
belong to each other.
MIR. Kotzschmar's reputation as COM
poser especially of church music, is
world wide. His familiar "Te Deum in
F'is sung not only all over this country
but in Europe. A leading citizen of
Portland returning from O trip abroad
related how he heard 1t sung In London
and With what enthusiasm the organist
spoke of it. Several years ago the writer
spent some weeks in Cleveland, Ohio,
attending, on the first Sunday, one of the
Loading churches and being a little late,
one can readily imagine the feelings ex-
cited when on entering the church the
strains of Kotzschmar's Te Deum were
heard. Besides numerous beautiful an
therns, he has written a large number of
hymns Of unusual character and much
of the music used in the church service
is original with him.
1t ia not our intention to enumerate
all his writings but all are familiar
with the graceful Fairies Evening Song,
the brilliant Arcturns, Aurora B0realis
and Three Mazurkas, while his latest COM
position, Esprit d'Amerique bids, fair,,to
equal these in popularity. His music is
full Of melody and very original.
The leading choral society of Maine.
The Haydns. have had MIR. Kotzschmar
for their conductor ever since their or.
gsnization, thirty years ago. Through
his careful training and faithful service
this society has built up reputation for
fine shading. and musical expression in
the Interpretation OF the highest musical
compositions, second to none in the
country. Mr.. Kouzschmar has stoot,
firmly by the Haydns through sunshine
and shade There have been some dark
days when the outlook has been dis
couraging but their director has always
had strong conviction that this society
has noble work to do in the future as
in the PAST; that it is training school
for young singers; that it affords an o.
portunity to amateurs and professionals