Scan 95
The American history and encyclopedia of music, 1910
19 lines. Read by computer on 7 September 2026. Printed page 73. See the scan on archive.org.
1Biber
2hemia and died at Salzburg. In the collection of the Salzburg Museum are manuscript works of Biber's, considerable church music and a Drama Musicale. His published compositions include six sonatas for the violin, a set of twelve sonatas in four and five parts and a collection of suites for three instruments. Biber was renowned both as a performer and composer.
4*Biedermann (bē'-dēr-män), August Julius. 1825-
6Contemporary German-American composer. He was born in Thuringia, Germany, and studied harmony under Andreas Zoellner of Meiningen. He came to America, in 1848, and settled in Milwaukee. After a residence there of ten years he removed to New York City, where he now lives. He is the author of numerous compositions for the piano and of several choruses with German text.
8*Biedermann, Edward Julius. 1849-
10Contemporary German-American organist, teacher and composer, son of the preceding. He was born in Milwaukee, received his first training under his father, and studied in Germany from 1858 to 1864. Later he studied in New York City, and for a number of years was active as a pianist on the concert stage. He has held the post of organist in various New York churches, at present being organist of St. Mary's. Mr. Biedermann is the author of considerable church music, songs both sacred and secular, and has compiled, edited and revised several collections of organ music and numerous pieces for the piano. He has taught piano and theory in New York for a number of years, and served as musical editor for several publishing houses.
12Billings, William. 1746-1800.
14One of the pioneers of American music. Is said to be the first man who can claim the title of "American composer," as before his time all the music in the colonies was of English origin. Born in Boston. He had very little opportunity for education in his early life and his knowledge of music was entirely self-acquired, but though not constructed according to the rules of harmony and counterpoint, his compositions showed considerable musical genius, being much more pleasing in their vigor and melody than the old English tunes then in use. Later in life he wrote much more correctly and his music became so popular that it was used by the churches almost exclusively. Billings may really be considered as the founder of American church music. He wrote and published, between 1770 and 1794, six collections of music, as follows: The New England Psalm Singer; The Singing Master's Assistant; Music in Miniature; The Psalm Singer's Amusement; The Suffolk Harmony; and The Continental Harmony. These with his anthems were all of his music that was published. He is said to have introduced the cello into church choirs, to have first used the pitch-pipe and to have originated concerts in New England.
16Billington, Elizabeth. About 1768-1818.
18Celebrated singer and pianist. She came of a musical family, her father, Carl Weichsel, a native of Saxony, being an oboist and her mother a well-known singer. She also had a brother who became an excellent violinist. Her musical training, carried on under her father's supervision, was very thorough and severe. At six she played the piano at her mother's benefit, at eleven she had composed two sets of sonatas for the piano, and at fourteen she appeared in public as a singer. At about sixteen she married James Billington and went to Dublin, where she began her career as an opera singer. On returning to London, in 1786, she appeared at Covent Garden with great success and was engaged for the season there and at the Concert of Ancient Music. She sang in England until 1794, when she went with her husband and brother to Italy to travel. While there she sang at Naples and Venice with the greatest success. Her husband died on this trip and, in 1799, she married again. Upon returning to England, in 1801, she appeared constantly and most successfully at Drury Lane, Covent Garden and many other places until 1811, when she retired from public life. In 1817 she became reconciled to her husband, from whom she had separated, and went with him to her country-place near Venice, where she died within a year. It is said that her voice was marvelous and her range wonderful but that she was a poor actress.
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