The Evolution of Modern OrchestrationCoerne, Louis Adolphe
History
The Evolution of Modern Orchestration
Coerne, Louis Adolphe
Instrumentation and orchestration
As already intimated, the country is further represented by a
dignified array of American born composers for the orchestra, who
are working against fearful odds in behalf of improved conditions
for native art. Gilchrist (1846) was, like Arthur Foote, trained
in this country, and is identified with the city of Philadelphia.
His forte is choral and religious music, being, moreover, a
remarkably successful prize winner. His symphonic attempts show sound
scholarship, but are conservative and non-programmatic. The name
of F.G. Gleason (1848) is highly respected in Chicago. His works
display harmonic rather than melodic strength, and were frequently
performed by Theodore Thomas. In Pittsburgh, Adolph Foerster (1854)
has done fine work in both large and small forms. Of unusual interest
are the scores of J.H. Beck (1856) in consequence of their novel
effects and warm coloring. His early success in Germany justified the
hope that he would become widely known, but he seems to have so far
intentionally avoided the publishers. Arthur Bird (1856) cannot be
blamed for preferring to live in the midst of the generous artistic
encouragement of a European city. Of especial merit are his symphony
in A and the ballet "Rübezahl." The representative composer of San
Francisco is Edgar S. Kelley (1857). He was a pupil of Clarence Eddy,
but studied also in Stuttgart. He is essentially a programmatic
writer, possesses considerable originality and humor, orchestrates
with skill and daring, and has been especially successful with his
melodramatic music to "Macbeth." Henry Schoenefeld (1857) was a
pupil of both Reinecke and Lassen, and was identified with Chicago.
His undertakings are worthy of consideration in consequence of
his adaptation and idealization of negro melodies in his Suite for
string-orchestra, op. 15, before Dvo[vr]ák's experiments of similar
nature. Schoenefeld has since written an overture entitled "In the
Sunny South." San Francisco can boast of yet another orchestral
composer of repute--Frederick Zeck Jr., who has written, among other
things, several symphonies, a symphonic poem, and even a romantic
opera.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account