New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-05
SAMUEL CoLERIDGE- TAYLOR
An Appreciation of the Late Negro
Composer-Incidents in His Life.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In view of DR.. Booker Washing
toms sketch accompanying the announce
ment Of the death of Samuel Coleridse-
Taylor in yesterdays issue OF The Trib-
une, It would seem fitting that Few
words be added regarding the visit OF
the composer to America two years ago.
because this visit, as he himself repeat
edly declared, exerted decided influence
on his subsequent activity.
1t was in June. 1910 that Coleridse-
Taylor came TO America dor the second
time, | believe) in response TO the inVi-
tation Of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stoeckei'
whose munifcence has made the meet
iugs and concerts of the Litchfield
County Choral Union (Which are given
in hall specially erected by them Tor
the purpose) truly unique In many re-
spects. OF American composers Profes-
sor Horatio Parker George w Chad-
wick and Henry Hadley had been
commissioned 10 write works for these
festivals and invited TO come 10 Norfolk
Conn, 10 conduct them. In accepting
like commission Coleridge- Taylor, In 1910,
conducted his "Hiawathas Wedding
Feast" and The Death OF Minnehaha,
a. Norfolk and also the orchestral COM
position written for this festival 'The
Bamboula Rhapsodic Dance Counded on
West Indian air., which latter was
pronounced by the judicious 10 D" one OF
the most spontaneous and at the same
time well constructed orchestral scores
which he had placed 10 his credit Dur
ing his stay at Norfolk as the guest OF
Mr. and Mrs Stocked. Coleridge-TayIor
was so delighted with the cordial hospi-
,alItv shown him that one day after
drive over the beautiful Berkshires ne
retired TO hts room To jot down some
themes for a work which as he SAID ne
had I'm mind. These became the nucleus
OF the dainty choral work. "A Iate OF
Old Japan" which had its initial per
formances NJ Albany last May under my
direction and az Norfolk on June v
under the direction OF Richmond -
Paine the conductor OF the Norfolk tes-
rivals In the course ~ the same VISIT
Coleridge-TavIor was asked and gladly
consented TO compose violin concerto
which Miss Maud Powell should play ~
Norfolk tho following year. The con-
c.r,o was not finished I'm time Tor
tho festival % 1911 As the comrnls-
sion however. was made TO hoid eooo
and as Coleridge-Taylor was not sat's-
fed with the concerto when completed, ne
set about writing another one. on TINS
he nut the finishing touches barely IN
time N send the score and parts bY the
,,,ts we're lost with the Titanic. New
ones were copied. however. In haste ana
Miss Powell played the concerto as wen
as transcription OF Keep me Ho"
si,kip' down" for violin and orchestra
,o,dc Nv Coleridge-Taylor for Mrs'
e,oeckel. Oh June { Of this year IL was
the consensus OF opinion OF the musi-
clans present that this concerto WOMB
add materially 10 the status OF Oo'e-
rldge-Taylor a. a composer
Co,eridge.Taylor. who endeared himself
"a nil bv his charming personality. repeat
ediy bv word OF mouth and in letters as
s,,ed N, and others that the whole
b.a,tcd welcome accorded him by his
host and hostess at Norfolk ana the cord
ialitv with which he was received Oy
those he met there had filled him with
new energy. enthusiasm and love TOT
work. That these were not empty words
is borne out by the dedication OF his last
choral work "A Tale OF Old Japan
which reads: ITO Mr.. and Mrs. Carl
stoeckel. with happiest membranes OF
the White House. Norfolk. Conn., L. D A.
and the people met there's. c. t.
ARTHUR MEES.
You, Work Sent . 1912