Background
Pratt, Silas Gamaliel was born on August 4, 1846 in Addison, Vermont, United States. Son of Jeremiah and Esther M. (Derby) Pratt.
Pratt, Silas Gamaliel was born on August 4, 1846 in Addison, Vermont, United States. Son of Jeremiah and Esther M. (Derby) Pratt.
Between 1868 and 1871, he studied under Theodor Kullak, among others, but he suffered a wrist injury during a lesson, which prevented his becoming a professional concert pianist. Pratt is known to have completed at least three operas, one of which he later revised. Only two were ever performed.
Was in music business with H. M. Higgins, and Lyon and Healy, Chicago. Studied in Berlin, with Kullak, Bendel and Kiel, 1868-1871, with Liszt and Heinrich Dorn, 1875-1876. His 1st symphony performed, 1871.
Organized Apollo Club, Chicago, 1872.
Gave several successful concerts in London and Berlin, including London concerts of original works. Projected and was director general Chicago Grand Opera Festival, 1884.
Organized and director Omaha Festival. Organized chorus for Music Teachers’ National Convention.
Removed to New York; directed Fourth of July music “Chicago Day” celebration, and “Reunion of the Cities” (last great day), Chicago Exposition.
Gave grand American concert, July 4, 1895, at Antwerp Exposition, et cetera President Pratt Institute of Music and Art, Pittsburgh, since 1906. Composer: Zenobia, The Triumph of Columbus, and Lucille, grand operas.
The Soul of a Song, concert-lecture.
Orchestral works, Reverie, A Serenade, Paul Revere’s Ride, and The Revolution of ’76. The Battle Fantasia; three grand symphonies.
Centennial Overture with Ode to Peace. Grotesque dances; suite for orchestra.
Sandalphon, symphonic poem.
Grand festival overture, Voyage of Columbus. About 50 piano pieces, and many songs. Also new music to America, first publicly performed at Lotos Club, New York, January 15, 1903.
Tell Maine Ye Winged Winds, for chorus of mixed voices, performed by Mozart Society, Pittsburgh.
Lincoln Grand Symphony, for orchestra in 4 parts, for the Lincoln Centennial, et cetera Author: Lincoln in Story, 1901.
Pianists’ Mental Velocity, 1903. Valse Lente grotesque, Reverie, and The Revolution, performed by Winderstein Orchestra.
Lincoln Symphony, in 4 parts.
A Tragedy of the Deep, symphonic poem. Wrote libretto and composed grand opera Ollanta, 6 acts. Organized Pittsburgh Centre of America Music Society (chairman 1910).
Home: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married Flora Spencer Colby, 1886.