Evening star., 1936-08-15


one Of joyous striving, cheerful helpful
achieved brilliant success, winning:
him world recognition as a musician
of rare talents, and as a composer,
producing works daringly new in
rhythm, style and coloring.
He was of Anglo-African parentage;
his father, young physician. was a
Negro from West Africa, educated in
Freetown, Sierra Leone, and in Eng
land as medical student at the Uni
versity College, London. He became
member Of the Royal College Of Sur
geons, and licentiate Of the Royal Col
lege of Physicians. While yet stu
dent, Taylor met and married beau
tiful English girl, Alice Hare, and by
reason of his meager allowance, the
young couple was compelled to take
up abode in the humble home of
poor working family named Holman,
Is Thebald road, Holburn, where little
Samuel was born. Before he was one
year old, his father, discouraged with
his unremunerative practice, returned
to his native Africa; and died at the
end Of five years.
THE courageous, devoted young
mother with the aid Of the Hol-
mans, became the support and in
Spiration Of the budding genius Of her
son. With the family they moved to
Croydon. When Samuel was five years
of age, Mr.. Holman gave him little
violin and taught him to play. So
proud and happy was he that he car
ried the little violin with him daily,
even playing at marbles with it under
one arm, or trudging back and forth
to school. Thus he was one day espied
and came to the attention Of a prom
inent musician, Joseph Beckwith, con-
ductor of Croydon Theater, who. list
ening to him play. recognized his
genius and possibilities, and took him
as pupil, much to the joy Of Samuel
and his mother. Within a year or two,
Samuel was appearing In concerts and
benefits of the school which he at
tended.
1t was discovered also that he had
a good voice." and Col. Joseph Wal
ters, director OF the choir in st. George
Episcopal Church, was much pleased
when Samuel won prize in a COM
petitive tryout, took him under his
especial charge and he was enrolled
as boy soprano in that celebrated
choir, where with careful training
he soon became a solo singer and in
demand In various concerts. During
his choir days he made several public
appearances; his playing OF the Fan
tasia Pastorals, and his singing of
There Is Green Hill Far Away"
by Gounod, evoked extraordinary ap-
plause and praise.
When he was 9 years old, he wrote
his first real composition, 'Te Deum,"
which was considered remarkable, elic-
iting much praise from his teachers
and all who heard it. Encouraged
thus, he devoted himself to compost
ton and rapidly composed pieces for
piano, violin and orchestra, as well
as songs, anthems, operettaS, can
tataS, etc.
During his college days, his COM
positions, as to the number and quail
ity, were outstanding. In 1892 he
composed four anthems; in 1893 he
won scholarship contest as a COM
position student; in 1895 and 1896
he received the Alexander Prize for |
composition; in 1896 he composed a |
symphony. At the age Of 20 years, |
he had drawn the eyes Of the British |
music world, his compositions num-
bering about 80 works.
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR is best
known in America for his "Hia-
watha's Wedding Feast" which first |
placed him in prominence in Eng
land and which was soon followed by |
1.-THE Death Of Minnehaha" and "Hia-
watha's Departure" This trilogy, |
known as "Opus 49," is a masterful |
production Of 800 pages, exclusive of |
the overture, grand chorus with piano |
and orchestral accompaniment, the
music set to the words Of the poem
by Longfellow The trilogy was pre-
sented in Albert Hall, London, with
q chorus Of 1000 voices, and an
Of 500 pieces to an audience
OF 10000 persons. In 1904, it was
presented in America, in Washing
ton. d. c.; Baltimore and Philadel-
phia, with the composer, S. Coleridge-
Taylor, IS guest conductor.
In 1906 Coleridge-Taylor made a
second trip to America and again di-
rected the presentation Of "Hiawatha"
at q grand musical festival Of three |
days, in which he was given q grand |
ovation and presented with an en-
graved silver loving cup, showered
with praise and many personal gifts
as tokens Of Americas appreciation.
The number Of compositions that
Coleridge-Taylor produced during his
short life of 81 years includes 80
works and a group Of unnumbered
ones, in all about 800. Among his