Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12

Copyright 1904, by S. W. Scurlockl
| Washington. on his first visit to America,
and is the CUES. of Mr. John p Green.
| U. S. postage stamp agent, at the latters
| home 1744 9th street northwest.
Mr.. Coleridge-Taylor is modest-so mod
est in fact that it was with extreme diff
Guilty that anything could be learned con-
corning his remarkable history. He is not
yet thirty years of age, having been born
in London in 1875. His father was an
African negro, who by dint of perseverance
made his way to England and obtained an
average education. Then he took up the
study of medicine at Kings College, and
for many years practiced his profession in
London, marrying an English woman.
The son displayed musical talent almost
from his birth, and at the age of four could
perform on the violin. reading notes before
he could read the alphabet. This remark
able genius has characterized his entire
career. At twenty-nine years of age he Is
the leader of the second largest and most
| important musical organization IN England
The first is the Royal Oratorio Society, ana
it's leader, Sir Henry Elgar, has been
knighted by the king. The Handel Society
is composed Of chorus of two hundred
and band of eighty many of the members
being of noble birth. One of Mr.. Taylor's
best friends and admirers is ...e son of the
late William e. Gladstone. The appoint
ment as leader has only recently been ex-
tended to Mr.. Taylor, and he has not had
an opportunity to conduct the society.
This he will do immeditely upon his return
to England, about the middle of December.
Graduate Of Royal College.
Mr. Taylor is graduate of the Royal
College of Music, in England and is con-
ductor of the Rochester Choral Society, of
two hundred members. While student at
the Royal College a prize was offered for
the best composition. Mr. Taylor competed
and was awarded the prize. This so en-
couraged him that he turned his attention
exclusively to composition. Later he drift
| ed to conducting, which he considers as Of
| fering a much larger and better field than
| composition, although he still devotes much
| time to the latter work. To reporter for
| The Star today he spoke Interestingly on
| the subject of negro melodies
Few real negro melodies have even been
heard in this country, or in England, for
| that matter" said Mr.. Taylor, with de-
| cided English accent. ''Of all the alleged
negro songs, with which you Americans are
| so familiar, l doubt if any have not been
| adulterated, as it were. Something has
| been added or something forgotten. A
prominent French musician recently made
| a tour through that portion of Africa
| where the original negro lives and -four
ishes. He visited many districts where no
| white man had ever been, and he collected
songs and melodies which l think are
| charming. At least they have the advan-
| tage of being absolutely new. none of them
ever having been heard in either England
| and America. l am now at work on a vol
| ume which will include these, and also the
| few from this country which 1 believe to
| he pure. 1 am also at work on what may
| be termed symphonic piano forte selections
based on negro melodies of both America
| and Africa"
| American Coon Songs.
"What co you think of the American
| coon songs" Mr. Taylor was asked.
| THE worst sort of rot" was his en-
| phatic reply 'In the first place there is
| no melody, and in the second place there
is no real negro character or sentiment in
| these coon songs However, 1 will not
object to the term coon songs They may
| be that But they are not negro melodies"
What do you think of America. as COM
| pared with England, from the musicians
point of view?"
Il have seen so little of America that
| am not able to compare the relative musical
| standards" said Mr.. Taylor. You have
| many excellent musical organizations and
| many good conductors in this country. 1
| have met some of them in London; met a
] few in Boston. but cannot compare them
| with our conductors l have heard your
| Marine Band, which I think is very pro-
! ficient. 1 went to the marine barracks the
| other day to conduct the Marine Band Or
| Hiawatha which is to be given here short
| ly, and 1 was very much pleased with the
| work of the men,
| Mr.. Taylor called on Postmaster General
| Wynne yesterday and had pleasant chat
| with that official. He will be received by
| President Roosevelt some time next week,
| and will pay his respects to other officials OF
| the federal government. He will leave here
| November %, going to Philadelphia, Chi
| cago, st. Paul and back to New York, sail
ing for England December IS.
| Some of the compositions which have
| brought Mr.. Taylor commendation from
many countries are "Hiawatha." Meg
| Blaine" The Atonement," a symphony
In A minor. a quintet for clarinet and
strings. and baiIade in A minor These
| all have been produced in the Royal AL
bert Hail. in London. and each has been
accorded much popularity with the En-
| glish lovers of good music. He Is in
Washington to conduct two, concerts,
given by the s. Coleridge-Taylor Choral
| Society, in Convention Hall. November 16
and II. concert also will be given in
Lyric Hall. Baltimore, November liz. Mr..
| Taylor pronounces the work of this So
ciety as excellent. and he predicts q sue
| cessful presentation in both cities.
L r. ny.or Of