Rogers, James H.

1857-

American song-composer; born at Fair Haven, Conn.; received his early general education at Lake Forest, 111., near Chicago; began piano study at twelve years of age, and later spent over two years in Berlin under Loeschhorn, Haupt, Ehrlich and Rohde. This was followed by two more years in Paris, where his teachers were Fissot, Guilmant and Widor. On his return to America he settled in Cleveland, Ohio, as an organist and teacher, also appearing in concerts as a pianist. In 1891 he married there Alice Abigail Hall. Among his songs are an album of five songs, including Come to Me in My Dreams, Good Night, and Jealousy. Others are Declaration; Fly, White Butterflies; In Harbor; Gather ye Rosebuds; La Vie est Vaine; My True Love Hath My Heart; Heine's Flower-song; and the Lorelei. The First Spring Days, and Doubt Not, O Friend, are settings of words from Tolstoi; Look Off, Dear Love, of Lanier, and Song from the Persian, of Aldrich. Sing, O Heavens, is a spirited Christmas anthem; and At Parting, the best known of his songs, is a gem. As a whole, his songs show artistic finish, and constitute a majority of his compositions, which number about a hundred in all. Aside from these he has written nine piano-pieces, published under the title, Scenes du Bal; music for organ and for violin; anthems and part-songs; and two cantatas, The New Life, and The Man of Nazareth.