The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-09
SAMUEL COLERIDGE TAYI or
WAS A MODEST COMPOSER

However, several vigorous blows
with the huge brass knocker brought
d servant, who remarked, as he adj
mitted me. that l had been given nm.
ed time. "ppo''s-
I was ushered into the music room.
on the walls of which hung autograph.
ed photographs and portraits of some
OF the most distinguished artists from
the various walks of the art life.
l was alone but a moment feastine
on these, when in stepped the dapper
littie gentleman. all glowing With
smiles n sparkling with enthusiasm.
ne oore the stamp of a musician in
sucn a pronounced manner that ma
might have been chosen u Of a thou-
and at any time.
ne greeted me warmly, expressed
MS regret at having had to change ti;a
nour OF appointment, and waved me
to a seat. "S
He brought some cigarets and pull
Tu up ms chair for a coy chat, which
! Ieit coming. By and by he called to
Jess. (his wife) to bring two dishes
OF cotee presumably a compliment
70 ms american guestl, as all my othrr
hosts had served me with tea. Thc
goo lady responded at once, and i'm
mediately retired after the introduc-
.ion: leaving US to our cups. AS badly
SAAoAAC IIldu0 Coffee. ana az
well as they make tea. that coffee tast-
ed good; the hospitable. hand that
poured 1t loaned an aroma.
Ran Through "Hiawatha."
mere we sat smoking, chatting and
wondering what the coming Years
would bring in music. until / urged
MIN to run through 'Hiawatha" with
me.
He seemed glad and willing to read
JnTOnRh The uyNrL Hr<
luctant about making any particular
suggestions.
He commended my Interpretation OF
the n and baritone arias, but made
some changes in the parts allotted to
the soprano, and asked as a special
favor that I take the choruses at y
good tempo. II l should ever conduct
the work.
He made a gentle criticism OH
american conductors, saying that as a
rule they took slower tempos than the
conductors of other nations.
We then turned to the principal
choruses. all of which he takes with
furious tempos-especially the one in
three-fourth time. beginning "Frrora
his wandering far to eastward. i"
When we finished the book. with his
hands upon his head. lounging across
the keyboard. we discussed the poem
that inspired his compositions: he ask
ed me. among other things. which had
preference in the States" the long I
or long E sound in pronouncing
Hiawatha.
l told him both were heard, but that
Longfellow had preferred the long u
sound.
Refused to Write Opera.
asked him why he did not give is
an opera from the same text, that
there was ample opportunity for a
stage setting, but begged him to incor- !
porate the great tenor aria Of the
present work.
He thanked me for the suggestion
and said II he found himself at the
task he would give me the credit.
He has since written me that he
y not feel able to uproot the ideas
already given In the former work, that
his best and only ideas of that great
story were already expressed. and that
n further attempt would be but
weak. futile and untrue. /
How genuine the devotion t O his art
and how sincere his purpose.
Finally we consulted our watches.
onlv to learn that the morning hours
were growing apace.
lie insisted upon my having a bed.
but when I thankfully declined his
hospitality he donned a coat, a pair Of
rubbers. and taking an umbrella. ac-
companied me through the gray dawn
to Norbury station. which ended one
ofc the most inspiring experiences nf
my life.
Peace to the ashes of Samuel Cole.
ridge Taylor.