A. J. Stamm
Concert Pianist and Piano Pedagogue
Emil Seifert’s
Historical elucidation of the cultural progress of musical art in the United States of America by a series of biographical sketches of the most distinguished musical artists and pedagogues of the country.
AUGUST JULIUS STAMM
August Julius Stamm was born on January 27, 1849 in Estebruegge, near Hamburg, Germany.
Mr. Stamm, a noted musician and pedagogue after gaining even in his youth marked reputation in Germany came durina the year 1873 to New York, and appeared as an exponent.of his art before the American public.
Because of his constant application and perseverance he became a master of technique and of musical 'finesse that rivalled the accomplishments of an Hans von Buelow.
(The author at the time editor of a musical journal "SEIFERT'S KUNST KRITIK", was astounded and captivated when he listened to his rendering the Beethoven concertoes in E flat major and C minor, the Schumann concerto in A minor, and the Weber Concertstilek, also the Liszt concerto in E flat major, in 1876-1877.)
It is therefore with more than mere interest that we dig somewhat deeper into Mr. Stamm's highly interesting and trying life.
The artist's father lived in Estebruegge, near Hamburg, from 1813- 1896. He was a musician and a much sought-after skillful violin maker.
His parent's to whom were born seven children (four sons and three daughters) did their best to provide a happy and contented home for them.
The children were reared in a musical atmosphere and were all given musical, vocal as well as instrumental instruction at an early age. It was thru their musical accomplishments the whole family became known throughout the whole district.
But it was little Julius who felt and displayed the greatest love for music, his favorite instrument being the violin. His father therefore sponsored his taking violin lessons from the violin teacher Meyer, who instructed the diligent youngster until his tenth year. Besides Julius' rapid advancement on the violin his desire to learn also the piano could not be stilled. Therefore Julius was also instructed by the same Mr. Meyer, who taught also the piano. Not being a pianist worthy of note however he was surpassed by his pupil in six month's time. Recognizing the great talent of the boy, Meyer advised the father to send the youngster to Buxtehude, near Hamburg, to receive instruction from the noted pianist Peters. But the latter had so many scholars that he absolutely refused to take on little Julius. Only after much pleading the little boy was grudgingly given an opportunity to play before the master. And then Peters embraced the child and from then until his nineteenth year Stamm remained to be the favorite pupil of that master. Neither was his school education neglected and Stamm Jr. received private instruction altho his father was not a man of means. The young pianist had therefore to shift for himself. In addition he played the violin in a dance orchestra, became church organist, a flutist, and double-bass player. He eked out even time for giving piano lessons to young beginners in order to defray his higher piano studies. He never seemed to tire. To do this and to save money he walked to Buxtehude until nineteen years old. He also gave recitals in Hamburg.
And then a blow. He was drafted into the army. But instead of carrying the much disliked gun he enlisted as a musician and became later on a clarinetist in the army band of the "3rd Garde Infantry Regiment".
Then in the year 1870 war broke out between Germany and France. Stamm saw the battlefield. Being a favorite however with his superiors be was given sufficient opportunity to continue his piano studies without neglecting his military duties.
In 1871 after the war was over Stamm received his higher musical instruction from the efficient teacher Warneke, in Hannover and appeared also in various cities in concerts and recitals.
TO THE UNITED STATES.
In 1873 Stamm came to New York. It was there that the well-known piano manufacturer Steck became interested in the ambitious and tireless young man. His interest grew to such an extent that he built a special piano for Stamm, with a chromatic keyboard, set him up also in a studio near the salesroom on 14th Street near Union Square. It was but a short while after Stamm gave recitals in the Steck Concert Hall appearing before musicians and an interested public alike.
Unfortunately Steck's health gave out and he died too soon to introduce to the world his new invention, the chromatic keyboard.
During Stamm's activities as teacher and concert player from 1873- 1877, he was also organist and director of a choir in Patterson, N. J.
Stamm then married in 1877. His son at the present time resides in Los Angeles, Calif., also a well-known musician.
In the same year in response to a request from Binghanipton, N. Y., Mr. Stamm founded a music school, organized a string orchestra and brass band, necessitating his making his home in that city.
Two years later, 1879, we again see Stamm as conductor of an orchestra and as organist in a church in Amsterdam, N. Y. At the same time he accepted the position offered as organist and choir-director in one of the largest churches of Albany, N. Y.
As his delicate and ailing wife was in need of a warmer climate, Mr. Stamm upon the advice of physicians, settled with his wife and his little son in Los Angeles, Calif., in September 1885.
On the thirteenth of October already Stamm gave his first recital in Bartel's Music Hall. He was hailed by an applauding public. His audience became enthused over their good fortune in having in their midst a real and accomplished musician. It clamored for a second concert held on the fourth of November, at which he played two violin solos, thereby proving that he was equally good on the violin.
Business duties then necessitated a trip to New York. During the journey his dear wife died, making him sole guardian of their small son.
On his return from New York to Los Angeles Stamm was given the position of choir master and organist in one of the largest churches, holding this position for twenty years.
He then opened a music school from which many excellent musicians graduated, many of whom even today honor their old teacher.
In addition to his many-sided musical activities, Mr. Stamm became (for fifteen years) director of the Turnverein Germania, in Los Anaeles.
In 1893 he married for the second time a Miss Alice E. Kottmeier, who later presented him with one son.
This son did not take to music however and studied chemistry. After getting his degree of Bachelor of Science at the California Institute of Technology, the latter continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin where he obtained his degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. He is now holding a government position at the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin.
In 1893 Stamm together with forty musicians then founded the famous Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra of which he became conductor.
The revenues of the orchestra were at that time so meagre however that Mr. Stamm was prompted many times to the support of the orchestra, buying even the instruments for the oboist and the basoon player.
Various pitches were being used at that time by theatre orchestras of the whole country. The first low pitch was introduced in the Peabody Institute, Baltimore, Md., then in Boston, and New York followed. It took from thirty to thirty-five years until the international pitch was standardized throughout the United States. (All wind-instrument players had to buy new instruments).
After many trials and tribulations in uniting the musicians to accept the new pitch the first Philharmonic Concert was held in the Grand Opera House on January 9, 1893. The excellent pianist Miss Augustine Berger played the Mendelssohn concerto G minor op. 25. Mrs. Minne Hance-Owens rendered vocal selections by de Koven and Nevin. The entire orchestra program was made suitable to the then taste of the public. Short compositions of Rubinstein, Meyerbeer, Wagner, etc. comprised the numbers. The concert was very successful and applauded. Mr. Stamm directed these concerts for the next two years.
A. J. Stamm must, all other statements notwithstanding, be recognized as the PIONEER OF ORCHESTRA MUSIC in LOS ANGELES.
In 1907 Stamm with his wife and youngest son made a one-year trip to Germany. From his home in Hamburg he journeyed throughout the whole of the Fatherland.
In 1908 he returned to Los Angeles, residing here since at the side of his dear and faithful wife, unburdened by care, enjoying good health, and awaiting in his beautiful and comfortable home the winter evening of his successful and much-trying life.
His Weber concert-grand in which be takes a special pride holds a place of honor in the salon.
In conclusion of this highly-interesting biographical sketch we bespeak for this excellent musician A. J. Stamm many more years of health, happiness and enthusiasm for his art.
By EMIL SEIFERT.