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New England Composer Series No. 2:
George W. Chadwick
Born: Lowell, Massachusetts, 13 November 1854
Died: Boston, 4 April 1931
George Whitefield Chadwick was among the first rank of American composers during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries.
After early organ studies with Dudley Buck and Eugene Thayer at the New England Conservatory of Music, Chadwick went to Germany for studies with Salomon Jadassohn and Josef Rheinberger. Upon returning to Boston in 1880, Chadwick became a teacher at the New England Conservatory and later became its director in 1897. He served in that position until his death in 1931.
There have been a number of recordings of his instrumental music
(piano pieces, organ works, overtures, symphonies and chamber music).Yet much of his choral music and songs remain neglected.
Along with John Knowles Paine (1839-1906), Chadwick was one of the
most respected members of the Second New England School,
as it became known.The First New England School consisted of 18th century composers, such
as: William Billings and Oliver Holden.As an illustration of the considerable respect he received, this is an excerpt from A Book of Choruses for High Schools and Choral Societies (1923):
"He has composed five overtures, Rip Van Winkle, Thalia, Melpomene, Adonis, Euterpe; three symphonies; an opera, Judith; various smaller orchestral works, choral works, string quartets, and a number of anthems and songs. He was selected to compose the opening ode for the dedication of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Probably no American composer has had a larger influence on the development of music in this country. Mr. Chadwick's works have won a permanent place in the repertoires of orchestras, choruses, choirs, and singers the world over, and a performance of one of his compositions is an event both in this country and in the art centers of Europe. As conductor he has played an important part in stimulating a love for the best choral and instrumental literature. As organist and composer of church music he has notably improved standards of taste in that field. As teacher and Director of the New England Conservatory of Music he has led thousands of America's finest young musicians to a truer realization of the dignity of their profession and to a consciousness of their responsibility which the American musician owes to his art and to his community. Mr. Chadwick is intensely interested in making his country a better place in which to live through the refining influence of good music."
That is high praise indeed for this talented New England composer who deserves much more recognition today as one of the most talented of American composers from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
To paraphrase one of his choral works [available on the CD listed below],
he was a composer of "All Power and Might."
Here are a few CDs of his instrumental music now available:
Chadwick: Four Symphonic Sketches & other composers
Chadwick: Symphonies No. 2 and 3
American Character:
Piano Music of George Whitefield Chadwick
Music by Chadwick and Jones
George W. Chadwick (1854-1931)
1. Anthem: "Lord of All Power and Might" (1895) -- Old Stoughtom Musical Society Chorus, 1987
2. +"Caravan Song" (1923) -- Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, 1987
3. +"Mexican Serenade" (1923) -- Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, 1987
4. Chorus: +"Praise Him, O Ye Heaven of Heavens" from Noel (1909) -- Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus; Earl Eyrich, conductor, 19875. Organ: +"The Star" from Noel (1909) -- Richard Hill, organist, at Old West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, 1980
6. Chorale: "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star" from Noel (1909) -- Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus; Roger Hall, conductor, Old West Church, Boston, 1980
Edwin A. Jones (1853-1911)
7. +Serenade: "Wake, Maiden Wake," Op. 16 (1881)[edited by Roger Hall] -- Old Stoughton Musical Society Male Voices; Earl Eyrich, conductor, 1987
8. +Soloist and Chorus: "King Christian," Op. 19 (1886)[edited by Roger Hal] --
Dennis Bender, bass-baritone; Old Stoughton Musical Society; Earl Eyrich, conductor, 1987
9. String Quartet No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 (1987) -- The Middleton Quartet, 1987 [first performed by The Kneissel Quartet at Mrs. J.L. (Isabella Stewart) Gardner's home in Boston in 1889]
10. +Prelude and Fugue in G minor (1878) -- Richard Hill, organist, Old West Church, Boston, 1980
11. Chorale: "Behold what matchless tender love" from Easter Concert (1890) -- Old Stoughton Musical Chorus; Earl Eyrich, conductor,1984
12. +Solo Quartet & Chorus: "Great God of Nations" from Easter Concert (1890) -- Jean Williams, soprano; Meredith Lays, alto; Peter Bradstreet, tenor; David Benjamin, bass; Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus; David Hanson, organist; Roger Hall, conductor, 1981+ = First Modern Day Performance
All the above music selections were recorded in concerts during the 1980s.
To order this CD of rare music by two 19th century Massachusetts composers,
go to the
New England Music Links
at this website
American Music Recordings Collection [AMRC]
Battle Hymn of the Republic: Origins of a Civil War Song
Essential American Recordings Survey (Part III)
New England Composer Series No. 1: Edwin A. Jones
New England Music Archive [NEMA]
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM]
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