Part 20 (1/2)
With his acquisition of skill as a performer on the piano-forte and organ already attained, as well as with his prospects for attaining to great distinction as a player of either of them, our artist might well have been content. But with these he was not satisfied: he longed to roam over the whole field of instrumental music, to evoke and to enjoy the harmonic beauties of the many other instruments. He had, in fine, become an enthusiast in music; and yearned to become a real connoisseur, theoretically and practically.
Mr. Lewis, therefore, next took up for study the violin, without other teachers than the best instruction-books treating on that instrument.
Becoming enamoured of the tones of that sweet and soul-expressing instrument, using in his work only music of the highest kind (he never, indeed, had a taste for any other), choosing for his models--when not guided alone by his own ideas of fine expression--the most cla.s.sical performers, he rapidly advanced as a pleasing and scholarly violinist, and made his first public appearance as a soloist at New Bedford, Ma.s.s., in 1861. About this time, having attained to a fine degree of general proficiency in music, and having overcome to some extent a certain shyness and timidity which had hitherto characterized him, he accepted invitations to appear in the best musical circles in Boston, and to take part occasionally in public performances there. This served to increase his desire to learn even other instruments, and caused him to study successively many of the pieces that are comprised in the formation of a large orchestra or a military band. He made, however, the cornet his princ.i.p.al study.
Having at this time become quite partial to stringed instruments, he soon gave most of his time to the study and practice alternately of the viola, violoncello, double-ba.s.s, and the guitar. As a performer on all of these instruments, except perhaps the guitar (an instrument which he never much liked), he has on important public occasions appeared, eliciting at such times the favorable comments of the press.
Leaving for a while the instruments just mentioned, he turned his attention to the clarinet and flute. To the former he is at present much devoted, playing upon it with much taste and skill.
Being asked why he so much enlarged his field of instrumental performance, and why he did not confine his studies to not more than one or two instruments, he said that it was in order that he might be the better able to arrange and write music for an orchestra or military band; and in this ambitious endeavor he has attained to a fine degree of success.
I should have mentioned before this, that, at the age of fifteen, our subject was considered quite a competent performer on the piano-forte, the organ, and the violin; and that at that early age he began to teach the playing of these instruments.
Although his talent and acquirements are displayed more particularly as an instrumentalist, Mr. Lewis is also a fair vocalist, understands thoroughly its theory, and teaches singing. He is a valued member of several musical clubs of Boston and vicinity composed of artists of the highest culture, such as the Haydn and Mozart Clubs of Chelsea, Ma.s.s. He, besides, meets with a select few in Boston, in a circle of studious amateurs where none but the finest and most cla.s.sical music is performed. He is a member of the ”Boston Musicians' Union,” which comprises in its members.h.i.+p most of the best musicians of the city; such as, for instance, Julius Eichberg, P.S. Gilmore, C.N. Allen, Messrs. Listemann, Lothian, &c.
In the Haydn and Mozart Clubs Mr. Lewis has played the part for first violin; and on several occasions, in the absence of the directors of those bodies, he has a.s.sumed acceptably the conductors.h.i.+p. His general musical accomplishments, and his acquaintance with each instrument used in these clubs, make him really the most useful and valued member; for, if a member fails to appear at a performance, he need not be much missed, since Mr. Lewis, if present, can take his instrument, whatever it may be, while his own regular place may be taken by the next first violinist in rank.
He has performed on several great occasions, notably at the World's Peace Jubilee, held in Boston in 1872, in an orchestra of nearly two thousand instrumentalists, all selected, and of fine skill. Before being accepted there, he was subjected to a most rigid examination by the superintendent of the orchestra, being required to play on the violin some of the most complicated and difficult compositions for that instrument. This test he stood so well, indeed, as to elicit from the superintendent, in the warmest manner, the comprehensive exclamation, ”Lewis, you are a musician!” At the grand testimonial concert tendered P.S. Gilmore (the projector of the two great ”Jubilees”) at the Boston Theatre, prior to his going to New York to reside, Mr. Lewis appeared in a selected orchestra, and contributed not a little to the success of that interesting occasion.
He is constantly arranging and composing music for his cla.s.ses, for orchestras and bands. At present he is engaged in composing for the piano what he will call ”A Meditation,” and in which he will include some of the finest ideas that constantly fill his musical mind. Some of these thoughts I have heard him play; and I have been so pleased by them, as to beg him not to relinquish his purpose to give them to the public, being convinced that in so doing he would afford delight to all lovers of good music, and add much to his already fine reputation.
Many complimentary notices touching the musical abilities of Mr. Lewis have from time to time appeared in the public journals. A few of the briefest are given below.
One of these journals, a good while ago, said,--
”Mr. Lewis is an amateur performer of marked ability.”
”The Boston Journal,” June 11, 1874, said,--
”Mr. Lewis gained much applause for his violin solos; and a duet and also a sonata by Mozart, for violin and piano, were well received.”
”The Boston Globe,” April 16, 1874, said,--
”Mr. F.E. Lewis, violin soloist, appeared once on the list, and was so demonstratively applauded, that he was a second time forced to come upon the platform. His first solo and the response were very artistically given.”
In these driving days, when compet.i.tion is so rife in all the trades and professions, and when, even among our best musicians, what begins as a spirit of honest rivalry often degenerates into that of detraction, it is pleasant to record instances in which it is shown that there are those who in their culture so strikingly unite the qualities of the skilful artist and the true gentleman, that their warmest admirers and friends are found among those of the same calling. Of Mr. Lewis, Mr. Alonzo Bond, director of Bond's Military Band, and a veteran musician of note, once said, ”He is the finest accompanist (piano) in the United States.” The writer has also in possession letters, highly commendatory of Mr. Lewis as a musician, from Mr. L.R. Goering, a skilful orchestra leader, member of that fine body of musicians, the Germania Band, and a teacher of great merit; from T.M. Carter, director of Carter's Band; from J.O. Freeman, and J.H. Richardson,--all musicians of high rank, and gentlemen of excellent general culture. From the letter of one of these (Mr. J.O.
Freeman) I quote the following reference to the subject of this sketch:--
”I look upon him as a person of remarkable musical ability.
His performance on the violin, viola, violoncello, double-ba.s.s, clarinet, and also bra.s.s instruments, is really surprising. But where we see his real talent is in his conception and rendering of cla.s.sical music on the piano-forte. Even in his own compositions he has shown much real talent. I regret that he could not have had the chances abroad that so many of our less-talented Americans have had.
Besides the numerous instruments I have mentioned, there is still another (which, perhaps, in character ranks higher than any of the others): I mean the church-organ, upon which he also plays.”
This writer, like all the others mentioned, could not refrain from closing his letter by a very handsome reference to Mr. Lewis's gentlemanly traits of character.
Slightly below the medium size, of graceful form, with regular, expressive features, and thoughtful cast of countenance; always neat in appearance; of gentlemanly, Christian deportment; genial in manners,--so amiable, as to be almost without an enemy; of very industrious habits; fully impressed with the beauty, the grandeur, and the great usefulness, of the divine art, as a potent means, when properly employed, for elevating the mind, adding to innocent enjoyment, and as an aid to polite culture; and with a soul absorbed in music,--all this can be truly said of Frederick E. Lewis. Not much more can or need be said to mark him, as he is, the Christian gentleman and the wonderfully talented musician,--one whose charming qualities fill the measure of our highest conception of the true, the ideal artist.
XIV.
NELLIE E. BROWN,