"The participant best known to the Boston public, perhaps, was Mr. S. Jamieson, who has appeared as pianist on several occasions in public and private with marked acceptability. He was on the programme for two solos, both of which were given with a skill and an artistic conception that sustained the favorable impression that he had previously made."
Mr. Jamieson has for some time cherished a hope of going to Europe, there to place himself for a while under the direction of one or more of the great masters of piano-forte playing; being firmly resolved to leave nothing undone the accomplishment of which will place him among the first pianists of the world. Those who know of his present abilities commend him for this desire, and feel warranted in predicting his complete success. Recently a few among the leading musical ladies and gentlemen of Boston tendered him a complimentary reception at the residence of one of the former, and at its close presented him a sum of money to aid him in carrying out the purpose just referred to. The occasion was thus alluded to by "The Daily Advertiser:"—
"A musical soirée was given last evening at the residence of Mrs. Jno. W. Perry in aid of Mr. S.W. Jamieson, the talented pianist of the Boston Conservatory, who contemplates a pursuance of his musical studies in Europe the coming summer.... The assemblage, which was one of the highest order of respectability, thoroughly enjoyed the choice music that was selected for their ears. Mrs. Kempton, Mrs. Perry, and Messrs. Jamieson, Jacobs, Tracy, Haggerty, Walker, Willard, and Sweetser, contributed in a programme made up of numbers from Rossini, Rubenstein, Schubert, Bendel, Mills, Campana, Chopin, Violetta, Liszt, and Gottschalk."
The writer of the above deemed it quite enough to merely mention the names of composers and artists, leaving to the musical reader to imagine (as easily he could) how rich and plenteous a feast of harmony must have been furnished to those fortunately present on this delightful occasion.
As may perhaps be inferred from the comments heretofore given, Mr. Jamieson, as a pianist, is noticeable for the clearness of his touch, the brilliancy of his style, and the thoroughness of his execution,—not failing to exhibit these pleasing qualities even when playing the most rapid passages,—while he ever shows a full and ready sympathy with the spirit and aims of the composer.
His remarkable proficiency as a pianist, and the private and public attention which the same has drawn to him, has secured him, from time to time, many pupils and as a teacher he has been quite successful.
If the doctrine of "heredity" be true, Mr. Jamieson may trace his possession of musical talent to his grandfather, who attracted much attention as a musician.
But there is no easy road to proficiency and eminence in the musical art; nor is there one in any other. Art is a right royal and exacting mistress; and he who would be numbered among the favored attendants at her court must fairly win the distinction by that devoted, undivided loyalty which is ever accompanied by the severest study, the most self-denying application. It cannot be denied, of course, that the possessor of genius or of talent may succeed far more easily than he who is without such powerful aid; but it is also true, that those who by their works present examples of great achievement in the science of music, and who cause us often to pause in utter amazement when reflecting upon the exceeding beauty, the magnitude and grandeur, of their creations, owed their brilliant success as much to indefatigable labor as to their great gifts of mind. Indeed, as has often been said, "there is no excellence without great labor."
So our young artist—of course I speak of him in this connection in a comparative sense—owes his present high success not more to his possession of rich natural talents than to the tireless zeal with which he has cultivated the same.