Huss, Henry Holden

1862-

Dramatic and lyric composer, son and pupil of George John Huss; born  in Newark, New Jersey. He received from his father a sound musical foundation, and in 1879 began the study of theory and with Otis B. Boise; continued under him until 1883, when he went to Europe and became a pupil in counterpoint, composition, instrumentation, organ and piano at the Munich Conservatory under Josef Rheinberger, Josef Giehrl and Ludwig Abel. While there he won recognition for his work in counterpoint, produced his idyl, In the Forest, for small orchestra, and at his graduation played his rhapsody in C major. After three years' study he returned to America to live in New York City. The rhapsody above mentioned was first played in his own country by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1888 his Ave Maria for women's voices, string orchestra, harp and organ was heard in public, and the year following Van der Stucken carried his violin romance and polonaise for violin to Paris and produced them at the Exposition. Huss gave in New York a concert of his own works in 1889, and in 1894 played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, when he first gave his concerto for piano and orchestra.

Other of his works are The Fountain, for women's voices, an Easter theme for chorus and orchestra with soprano and alto solos, a Festival March for organ and orchestra, a trio for piano, violin and cello, a Prelude Appassionata for piano dedicated to and played by Miss Adele Aus der Ohe; for piano, Three Bagatelles, an fitude Melodique, an Albumblatt, a Pastoral; for the voice, a setting of Du bist wie eine Blume, the Song of the Syrens, Jessamine Bud, They That Sow in Tears; two songs from Tennyson, There is Sweet Music Here, and Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead, the last with orchestra accompaniment. An important composition is his Death of Cleopatra, the words used are Shakespeare's. His piano concerto in D major is pronounced by Robert Carter as the best American concerto.