The British Musical Biography

Entry

Salaman, Charles Kensington

[E] Salaman, Charles Kensington, pianist,
composer, lecturer, and writer, born in London,

[+] March 3, 1814. Showed musical talent very
early, and began to learn the violin when
seven, but after a year left it for the pianoforte.
His first lessons were from his mother, an
excellent anlate^^r pianist, and by her he was
placed under S. F. Rimbault. In 1824 he was
elected a student of the R.A.jNI., but returning
to school he lost the chances thereby afforded.
Studied under Charles Neate, 1826-31. Made
his first appearance in public at G. Lanza's
concert, Blackheath, in the summer of 1828,
when his song " Oh, come, dear Louisa," his
first published work, was sung. The same
year he went to Paris, had lessons from Henri
Herz, and played his Rondeau brilliant in D,
with orchestra, for the first time in London,
March 10, 1830. Produced an Ode at Strat-
ford-on-Avon, April 23, 1830, at the Jubilee
Festival in memory of Shakespeare. In 1831
began his professional career as teacher ; gave
annual orchestral concerts at the Hanover
Square Rooms, 1833-7, introducing, among
other artists, Madame Grisi, 1834, to concert
audiences. Instituted, with H. Blagrove,
C. Lucas, and others, the Concerti da Camera,
the first taking place November 7, 1835.
Elected a member of the Royal Society of
Musicians, and an Associate of the Philhar-
m.onic Society, 1837, withdrawing from the
latter in 1855. Visited the continent in 1836,
playing at Munich, Vienna, and other places,
and becoming acquainted with Schumann,
Czerny, Mozart's son, Thalberg, and other
artists. Resided in Rome, 1846-8, and in 1847
was made an Hon. INIember of the Academy
of St. Cecilia, and of the Philharmonic Society
of Rome. Founded an Amateur Choral
Society in London, 1849 ; played at the Phil-
harmonic Concert, March 18, 1850, Beethoven's
Concerto in C minor. Commenced a series of
lectures on musical subjects in 1855, which
were continued for some years in London and
the country. In 1858 he helped to establish
the Musical Society of London, and was Hon.
Secretary until 1865. Assumed the name
Kensington on the death of his father in 1867.
(His father was born at Kensington in 1789).
Was one of the founders of the Musical Asso-
ciation in 1874, and acted as Hon. Sec. till
1877, when he retired, and was elected a vice-
president. All this time he was busy as a
teacher and composer, producing a large
number of works (summarised below), besides
contributing papers to various musical jour-
nals, Concordia, The Musical Tinifs, etc. He
was musical critic to the Circle while it lasted.
He played the accompaniments to his songs
at Miss C. Penna's concert, June 10, 1886 ;
and his last compositions, two songs, " The
resigned lover," and " Concealed love," were
issued on the completion of his 82nd year,
March 3, 1896.

[W] Works. — Jubilee Ode to Shakespeare, 1830.

[+] Psalm 84 ; Psalm 29, for double choir ; Have
mercy upon me ; Preserve me, O God ; and
other anthems. A voiceless sigh ; Fair is the
swan ; April, part-songs. Nearly 100 Hebrew
choral works for the service of the synagogue.
Songs : 1 arise from dreams of thee, 1836 ;
A leave-taking ; Al salir (Spanish) ; Are other
eyes ; A toi, toujours a toi ^Hugo) ; Du Susses
madchen ; Farewell ! if ever fondest i)i'ayer ;
My sAveetheart ; No, I never was in love ;
Murmured music ; My star ; St. Patrick's
Parliament ; The voice of my love (March 3,
1893) ; Can'st thou be true ? and many others,
including settings of odes, etc., by Horace,
Catullus, and Anacreon. Orchestral : Over-
ture in D ; Fantasia in G minor ; Grand
Funeral March, in honour of Victor Hugo,
1885. Parade March, for military band.
Rondo al capriccio, pf . and orchestra. Twelve
voluntaries for organ or harmonium ; Six
original pieces in Morley's voluntaries. Piano-
forte : Atalanta ; Birthday valse ; La vivacita,
op. 13 ; La Notta serena, op. 17 ; II Mulino,
op. 18 ; Syrian march ; Toccata, op. 44 ;
Zephyrus, op. 54 ; Tranquility, op. 62; Spring,
duet, etc. Lectures : History of the Piano-
forte, and the ancient keyed instruments,
1855-6 ; Handel ; Beethoven ; Weber ; Music
in connection with the dance ; History of
Italian, Gernran, and English opera. Papers
in Proceedings of Musical Association, 1875-
1877-80. Author of Jews as they are, London,
Simpkin, Marshall, 1882.

[+] His son, Malcolm Charles, lyric poet and
dramatist, was born in London, September 6,
1855. He is author of Ivan's love-quest, and
other poems, London, 1879 ; and the verses
of many of his father's best songs ; also of
words for con'ipositions by Sir G. A. Mac-
farren, G. A. Osborne, etc. As a dramatic
author and librettist he has produced Deceiv-
ers ever, a farcical comedy. Strand Theatre,
November 26, 1883 ; Boycotted, one act
comedietta, with music by Eugene Barnett ;
Dimity's dilemma, farce, Gaiety Theatre ;
Both sides of the question, comedietta ; A
modern Eve, three-act drama, Haymarket
Theatre. Known as a critic of the drama and
of painting ; Editor of the published plays of
A. W. Pinero ; and author of the popular
book, Woman — through a man's eyeglass.

entry id: 359-R-62

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