From Gilmore’s Band, Herbert became conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, also guest conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, but he had made such a success as composer of light operas, that he finally devoted all his time to the theater. Among Herbert’s most popular successes are: The Serenade, The Idol’s Eye, Babes in Toyland, Mlle. Modiste, Naughty Marietta, The Madcap Duchess, etc.
Julian Edwards (1855–1910), like Victor Herbert was born a British subject, in Manchester, England, and was a successful composer of light opera. He also wrote many sacred cantatas.
Sousa, the March King
Our most famous bandmaster is America’s “March King,” John Philip Sousa (1856), once leader of the United States Marine Band. Who has not marched to Stars and Stripes Forever, Washington Post, or Liberty Bell? Who does not love them, be he “high” or “low brow”? With Sousa leading, the band has played around the world, and no American composer is better known abroad. In fact, Sousa’s music was considered as “typically American” twenty years ago as is jazz today.
Another Indian Opera
Now for the Redskins again! Charles Wakefield Cadman’s Indian opera Shanewis was given at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1918. Cadman is well known for many songs which have become popular, At Dawning and The Land of the Sky-blue Water, a lovely Indian song. Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (1881), Cadman received musical training in Pittsburgh. For some years he has been living in California.
Another Pennsylvanian, who spent several years among the Indians, studying their music and using genuine themes for his opera Poia is Arthur Nevin (1871), younger brother of Ethelbert Nevin. For several years he was professor of music at the University of Kansas.
A professor at the same college is Charles Sanford Skilton (1868), writer of many cantatas and orchestral Indian dances.
Thurlow Lieurance (1897), one of the latest recruits to Indian music lore, is so well known for By the Waters of Minnetonka that we almost forget other songs and a music drama in which he has used Indian themes tellingly. One of these is a Navajo blanket song.
The blankets woven by the Navajo women are not only remarkable examples of primitive art, but tell the stories of the tribe. No two blankets are the same, and like the music we write, are expressions of the weaver’s hopes, fears, joys and sorrows.