American Songwriters / Composers Datebook: July 4
Foster’s popular melodies became the music of America. He had the ability to lend a new voice to his musical environment. Foster’s music has become an essential component of America’s cultural heritage through its sincerity and universal longing for its audience.
Video Credit:
The Music of Stephen C. Foster. YouTube, Uploaded by The Storyteller. Accessed July 4, 2018.
Resources:
1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. London: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 9th Edition. 2011
2. Stephen Foster. (Text & Photo). en.wikipedia.org. Accessed July 4, 2018.
3. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music. Edited by Stanley Sadie. London: Macmillan Publishers. 1994.
(c) July 2011. Updated July 4, 2018. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
Although Foster’s melodies are very familiar, it is amazing that little is known about the composer.
Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864), known as "the father of American music", was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. He was an American songwriter known mainly for his minstrel and parlor music. He wrote most of his well known songs between 1850 and 1860. Despite the popularity of his music, Foster lived in poverty. Since his songs were not protected by copyright, Foster realized only scanty income from them. He died in New York City
in 1864.
Foster’s songs are characterized by moving melodies and simple harmonies. He composed more than 200 songs, hymns, arrangements and instrumental works and wrote the lyrics for most of them as well. Among his best-known are "Beautiful Dreamer", "Oh! Susanna", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Hard Times Come Again No More", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River"), "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Old Black Joe".
His compositions are thought to be autobiographical, and many of them have remained popular through time. He has been identified as "the most famous songwriter of the nineteenth century" and may be the most recognizable American composer in other countries. His compositions are sometimes referred to as "childhood songs" because they have been included in the music curriculum of early education. Most of his handwritten music manuscripts are lost, but copies printed by publishers of his day can be found in various collections.
Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864), known as "the father of American music", was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. He was an American songwriter known mainly for his minstrel and parlor music. He wrote most of his well known songs between 1850 and 1860. Despite the popularity of his music, Foster lived in poverty. Since his songs were not protected by copyright, Foster realized only scanty income from them. He died in New York City
in 1864.Foster’s songs are characterized by moving melodies and simple harmonies. He composed more than 200 songs, hymns, arrangements and instrumental works and wrote the lyrics for most of them as well. Among his best-known are "Beautiful Dreamer", "Oh! Susanna", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Hard Times Come Again No More", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River"), "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Old Black Joe".
His compositions are thought to be autobiographical, and many of them have remained popular through time. He has been identified as "the most famous songwriter of the nineteenth century" and may be the most recognizable American composer in other countries. His compositions are sometimes referred to as "childhood songs" because they have been included in the music curriculum of early education. Most of his handwritten music manuscripts are lost, but copies printed by publishers of his day can be found in various collections.
Mezzo-soprano, Mary Beth Nelson, exquisitely sings Foster's Beautiful Dreamer, accompanied by Lachlan Glen. Youtube, accessed February 14, 2023.
The tribute album, Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk album in 2005. Among the artists who are featured on the album are John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Alison Krauss, Yo Yo Ma, Roger McGuinn, Mavis Staples, and Suzy Bogguss. The song "Hard Times Come Again No More" appears on Bob Dylan's 1992 album, Good as I Been to You. James Taylor offered a traditional folk version of "Oh! Susanna" on his 1970 album, Sweet Baby James. And more ...
In 2012, performer and educator Jonathan Guyot Smith taught a college course devoted exclusively to the study of Foster's music and released a CD of Foster songs, Stephen Foster Melodies and Serenades for the American Parlor, which contains several seldom-heard Foster songs. The performances are in the style of a 19th-century parlor performance rather than in the manner of a formal concert.
In 2012, performer and educator Jonathan Guyot Smith taught a college course devoted exclusively to the study of Foster's music and released a CD of Foster songs, Stephen Foster Melodies and Serenades for the American Parlor, which contains several seldom-heard Foster songs. The performances are in the style of a 19th-century parlor performance rather than in the manner of a formal concert.
Foster's songs lyrics and melodies have often been changed and altered
both by publishers, and performers."My Old Kentucky Home" is the
official state song of Kentucky. "Old Folks at Home" became official
state song of Florida, designated in 1935, but later modified, with the
modified song kept as the official state song, while "Florida (Where the
Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" was added as the state anthem. American
singers and singers-songwriters recorded numerous Foster songs,
including baritone Nelson Eddy, Ray Charles, and others. American
classical composer Charles Ives freely quoted a wide variety of Foster's
songs in many of his own works.
Foster’s popular melodies became the music of America. He had the ability to lend a new voice to his musical environment. Foster’s music has become an essential component of America’s cultural heritage through its sincerity and universal longing for its audience.
Video Credit:
The Music of Stephen C. Foster. YouTube, Uploaded by The Storyteller. Accessed July 4, 2018.
Resources:
1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. London: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 9th Edition. 2011
2. Stephen Foster. (Text & Photo). en.wikipedia.org. Accessed July 4, 2018.
3. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music. Edited by Stanley Sadie. London: Macmillan Publishers. 1994.
(c) July 2011. Updated July 4, 2018. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
Beautiful tribute :) --
ReplyDeleteThanks John.
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