New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-22
|DR. GERR|T SMITH DEAD
Composed, Played Organ and
Taught at Union Seminary.
GAVE 300 FREE RECITALs
Founded Manuscript Society,
Headed State Music Teachers
and Guild Of 0rganists.

DR.. Gerrit Smith. composer and pro-
| lessor Of music at the Union Theological
Seminary, died suddenly yesterday morn
ing of pneumonia at his country bona
| Wayside, at Darien: Conn.
| DR.. Smith was born at Hagerstown,
Md. December H. 1889 the son OF Gerrit
Henry and Marie Antoinette (Fitzhugh)
Smith. He was grandson OF Colonel
James Livingston. great-grsndson Of
Colonel William Fitzhugh, of Maryland,
| and granddaughter Of Gerrit Smith, sbe-
litionist and phllanthropiet
His first musical instruction was OBJ
tained in Geneva, n. Y, from Nine Tow
Ter. pupil of Moscheles and mother of
the pianist, Mrs. Agnes fowler Morgan.
and his first musical experience was at
st. Marks School, scarborough, Mass.
where he sans in the boys choir, and
where, when he was fourteen years old,
one OF his compositions was performed.
At Hobart College he was organist Of
the chapel during the last two years OF
his course, and then went to STUTTGART
TO study music. Returning to New Yor.s,
be studied under Samuel p. Warren. He
was appointed organist at st. Pauls Ca
thedral, Buffalo, and continued his
studies under Or. Eugene Thayer' and
William II. Sherwood. In 1880 he again
went abroad, this time to Berlin, where
he received instruction from Professor
August Haupt and Edward Rohde On
his way back TO New York he visited
different cities, playing many organs and
meeting well known musicians
In Leipsic he played at the conserva-
tory for Karl Ptutti, and was present
with him in the old Thomaskirche when
the arrangements were being made TO
remodel Bach's famous old organ. Stop
ping at Magdeburg, he met DR.. Ritter
and played in the cathedral In Dres-
den he had the honor Of playing before
Gustav Merkel some Of Merkers compo-
stions.
In England he met Sir John Stainer
and George c. Martin and played on the
Albert Hall. st. Paul's and other large
organs. On Christmas Day Dr. Bridge
invited him 10 sit with him in the organ
loft at Westminster Abbey.
On his return he went TO 81. Peters
Church Buffalo, and In 1855 became
Park avenue and S5th street. He was
also professor of theory at the Master
School, Of Brooklyn. and founder and
six years president Of the Manuscript So
ciety. a former president of the New York
State Music Teachers Association, and a
former honorary president Of the Amer-
can Guild Of Organists. He received the
degree of Doctor Of Music from his alma
mater.
Dr. Smith was we'll known not only
through his compositions but through
his free organ recitals He gave almost
three hundred alone in South Church.
often playing new compositions for the
first time in New York. In the last few
years Or. Smith has been abroad sew
eral times. playing In many OF the
cities Of England and the Continent.
meeting intimately such distinguished
men as Sir John Stainer Dr. Lloyd. Sir
Walter Parratt Berthold Tours, w. s.
Hoyte, Baron de la Tombele Salome,
Guilmant, Ferdinand Hitler and others.
Among his own compositions are the
eantata King David" the song cycle,
''Thistledown,' and about seventy-fve
songs, numerous piano pieces and Christ
mas anthems. Among the songs he wrote
or set 10 music are "Aqusrelles." Dream
wings" The Moon and the Stars" Der
Tannenbaum." Put BY the Lutte" The
Night Has a Thousand Eyes" and The
Lily Maid"
The musician married Miss Caroline
Butterfeld, Of Buffalo, in 1887, and she
and one daughter. Miss Wynt5e Living
ston Smith. survive. He had New York
home at No. SO Claremont avenue. The
funeral will be held on Tuesday after
noon at Darien. Already there is talk
OF a memorial service for Or. Smith.