The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-09
tBy John colville Dickson.)

The musical world mourn the loss
of Samuel Coleridge Taylor, who pass
ed away a few days since at his home
in London.
Although born in London in 1875,
he was OF African descent. lis father
being a native Of Sierra Leone. while
Els mother was an English woman, but
the lad was raised and educated under
English influences. In 1890 he enter
ed the Royal Academy of Music as a
student Of the violin, while three years
later he won the scholarship in COM
position. From that time his name
has been prominently before the pub
lie as a composer of distinction.
Americans know him best through
his great Choral Triology, a setting OF
Longfellow's "Hiawatha."
What "Hiawatha" Is.
Although he has been a very pro-
life writer, his fame rests largely up
on 'Hiawatha," and though no effort
is here made to analyze the work, a
few words Of comment may prove in
teresting.
The book is in three parts. "Hia.
watha's Wedding Feast" The Death
Of Minnehaha" and The Departure
Of Minnehaha."
1t was not originally planned as q
whole: on the contrary, the composer
intended In the first instance to set
"Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" only,
This section was produced at. a stu
dents concert given at the Royal col
lege of music, South Kensington. Lon
don. November IL. 1890.
Minnehaha." is the outcome Of a re-
quest made by the committee Of the
North S~taffordshire musical festival
that the composer should contribute a
choral work; as a consequence it was
produced at Hanley on October 26.
The third section. THE Departure
Of Hiawatha," was written for and
performed. with the preceding Sec
tons, by the Royal choral society at
the Royal Albert Hall, London, on
March %. 1900.
The overture to The Song of
Hiawatha" is a distinct work and not
a part of the choral composition.
One dare not choose from among
these three sections, for here we find
genius has guided the pen in the most
enhancing melodies and clothed them
in the richest OF harmonic garb: how
ever. the first section is possibly
heard more frequently, which may be
accounted for by the presence of
Hiawatha's great love song. oh away.
\" w eASk 40 ~
the tenor. This aria is one Of the most
fluent expressions Of a poetic soul
from the pen Of any composer. He
fairly revels in melody and had re-
f1ected the most subtle imagery Of the
poet.
Other Works of Taylor.
Aside from "Hiawatha," Mr.. Taylor
has composed many works. including:
The Blind Girl of castle-C Guile"
n1o~oo 0.Tha ont -
"Kubla Kahn" an operetta: Dream
Lover" q symphony; incidental music
to the dramas "Herod." Ulysses"
Nero" and Faust" a ballad for viola
and orchestra; four waltzes for or
chestra. church services and anthems.
together with many of the most ex-
songs. largely from the poems
Of Paul Lawrence Dunbar. the Afro
author. q.
A. Personal Visit.
While in London the summer Of
1910 ! was coaching a number of CO.
choral works. and al
with the composer when possible.
"Hiawatha" had always Impressed
me deeply, SO I was determined to
meet and coach the work with the
man from whose fertile brain the most
romantic choral work Of
times had come.
You may imagine then my great de-
light upon receiving the following let
ter the morning Of July 81. 1910. In re.
Spouse to my request OF q few days
"HILL CREST.
"Norbury. London. N. W.
MY Dear Sir:
Thank you for your letter.
Il shall be pleased to see you. eth
er here or at your hotel.
Our nearest station is Norbury.
London. Brighton railway from Vic
toria.
II could see you any afternoon be.
tween 8 and 5, but not Monday. Tues
day or Wednesday. as l am then in
perhaps you will kindly drop me a
postcard to tell me which day you pre-
fer.
yours truly.
IS. Coleridge Taylor"
Immediately wired him to expect
Thursday afternoon. seizing the
very first opportunity to avail myself
Of this great privilege.
Thursday morntng. August 4.
brought me the following telegram:
Come at s. or after-not 3."-Cole-
ridge Taylor.
Although q London fog was RAM
pant. and the rain pouring. l made my
way to Victoria station. but found no
train. SO took q tram for Norbury.
Unfortunately. we had an accident. re-
from the persistent rain. 80 1t
was $3.50 when l arrived at the charm-
ing villa. Hill Crest" crestfallen and
never saw a CLEAN Of the candle to bid
me welcome.