I have here only two examples of his work. The first is entitled the "The Flower Seekers," a very pretty and melodious scherzo, having a motto from Chaucer's "Court of Love":
"Fourth goeth al the court, both moste and leste,
To feche the flowers freshe, and branche and blome."
The second is entitled "Confluentia" and the motto upon it: "Here is the conflux of the Rhine and the Mosel. This led the Romans to call the city 'Confluentia.' These streams—which rise in regions so remote—are here united until they pass into the eternal sea beyond."—Hans van Brechnowski (David Rockwell).
It is a piece in nocturne style with a melodious voice coming in all sorts of forms, a little in the style of the well-known Schumann "Warum."
Mr. Wilson G. Smith is a native of Ohio, educated under Otto Singer in Cincinnati, and at Berlin. He is a pianist and composer and has published a very large number of pieces (something like 150) among which it is quite possible more attractive selections could be found than those upon the present program; still, these are the best I know of his. His work is light, melodious, and pleasant to play. The list from Mr. Smith comprises several very pleasant pieces. The "Valse Menuet," opus 43, No. 1; the "Reverie at the Piano," a sort of song without words; the second, "Polka Caprice," which is very bright and pleasant; and the "Marche Fantastique," opus 73, which is more brilliant and diversified in its style than the others.
Mr. Ernest Kroeger is a native of St. Louis and received his education there. He has written a large number of pieces for the piano (eighty or more), many songs, and quite a list of chamber and orchestral compositions.
I have here three Sonnets. The first one is in G minor, a sort of cheerful nocturne, with nice melody and good musicianship. There is a vein of melancholy about it. The next one, allegretto in B minor, is very charming, and the last one is the strongest of all, I think. If a stronger representation of Mr. Kroeger's art is desired, his first suite for the piano can be taken.
Mr. Emil Liebling is better known as a teacher and pianist than as a composer, but it has been his good fortune to win high commendation for the few works he has published. He made his studies in composition under the late Heinrich Dorn, the same who was the master of Schumann in composition—though this may be no more than a coincidence. Mr. Liebling, although born in Berlin, has resided in the United States for nearly thirty years. He is essentially American. The two Romances represent the most serious side of his work, in addition to which I have put on that very popular little scherzo, "Spring Song," and a very pleasing parlor waltz.
Mr. William Sherwood, the distinguished pianist, is not generally known as a composer, but in any other country than this his strong tendency toward composition would have found encouragement, and he would have been well known and probably as distinguished in this department as he is now in playing. I have placed Mr. Sherwood's compositions last because they are the strongest of any in the list, and also the most difficult; when well played they are very effective and deserve to be better known than has hitherto been the case.
The songs upon this program represent two other composers. At the head of the list are placed some highly impassioned compositions by Mr. Geo. W. Chadwick, of Boston. Mr. Chadwick is one of the most accomplished American composers. From this set of songs, called "Told in the Gates," selections are to be made at the convenience of singers.