The Evolution of Modern OrchestrationCoerne, Louis Adolphe
History
The Evolution of Modern Orchestration
Coerne, Louis Adolphe
Instrumentation and orchestration
CHADWICK (1854). In contrast to Foote's domestic education,
Chadwick stands among the first of that memorable list of students
who served a rigorous apprenticeship under Rheinberger in Munich, and
thereby helped to perpetuate his name in America. A mighty throng
followed in Chadwick's footsteps, among whom were the composers
Parker, Huss, Bullard, Atherton; the educators Lewis and Spalding;
the organists and teachers John White, Howland, and Bertram Henry.
Not only did Chadwick with one stroke make his individuality felt
upon returning to his native land,--an individuality that has since
been strengthened rather than lessened,--but his appointment to the
directorship of the New England Conservatory of Music was a choice so
opportune that that institution has since been raised to a standard
of excellence it never before had enjoyed, and is becoming one of
the recognized arbiters in the musical affairs of the country. Like
Foote, Chadwick has tried his hand in divers fields of composition,
being particularly successful in writing part-songs as well as songs
with pianoforte accompaniment. Large choral works have, however,
also claimed his attention, and are represented by his cantata "The
Pilgrims," and again by "The Viking's Last Voyage" for barytone solo,
male chorus and orchestra. It appears to be the fortune of American
composers to become known primarily by their vocal compositions. This
is also true of Chadwick. Nevertheless, he has given expression to
his loftiest inspiration in a series of chamber and orchestral pieces
that stamp him as a keen judge of those essentials required for large
instrumental works. His form, though conservative, is well rounded.
His orchestration is chaste and refined rather than sensational and
glowing. His music is above all manly and energetic. Personally,
Chadwick may not regard his operetta "Tabasco" with all too favorable
eyes; yet the step taken was assuredly in the right direction. It is
to be regretted that our contemporary American composers seem unable
to take a firm stand in imperceptibly educating the public with a
light yet artistic _genre_ of music such as characterizes Chadwick's
"Tabasco" or the earlier operettas of Victor Herbert and de Koven.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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