A. P. Schmidt, Pioneer Publisher of American Music, Is Dead

BOSTON, May 6.—Arthur P. Schmidt, founder of the Arthur P. Schmidt & Co., music publishers, and one of the pioneers in bringing forward American composers, died last night at his home in Jamaica Plain, where he had spent the greater part of his adult life.

Mr. Schmidt was born April 1, 1846, in Altona, a suburb of Hamburg, Germany, and he came to this country when twenty years of age. He first worked, in the early seventies, in the music store of G. D. Russell on West Street. In October, 1876, he went into business for himself, and today there is in the private office of the concern on the third floor of the Walker Building, 120 Boylston Street, the first sign, and small, plain table on which Mr. Schmidt first did business. In 1916 Mr. Schmidt retired from active interest in the concern, which continued to bear his name up to the present time.

When Mr. Schmidt first started in business he made a specialty of importing the works of foreign composers, but as America began to produce more and more native composers he began to turn his particular attention to them and he built up his catalog largely on the works of native composers.

Mr. Schmidt devoted practically all his time to his work and very little outside the field of music interested him. He kept in constant touch with the Boston Symphony and similar organizations, and he counted many friends among the local musicians. At one time he was a member of the Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and of the Boston Music Publishers’ Association.

In 1868 Mr. Schmidt married Helene P. Suck, a member of a musical family. Mrs. Schmidt survives. A daughter, Miss Matilda Schmidt, died several years ago. The Arthur P. Schmidt & Co. have branch offices in New York and Leipzig, Germany.

Philip Hale, music editor of the Boston Herald, has paid a tribute to Mr. Schmidt. An excerpt follows:

“Arthur P. Schmidt lived to see great changes here in the business of publishing music. He was largely instrumental in effecting these changes. Beginning modestly, by his fair dealing and foresight he established a house that has an international reputation. Cautious in some respects, he had faith in the American composer, when some other publishers were unwilling to run the risk of pecuniary loss. Mr. Schmidt did not consider this loss as of the first importance; he was willing to publish compositions of long breadth for which he knew there would be no adequate return. He lived to reap the reward for his courage.”

Arthur Foote, composer: “Arthur P. Schmidt was one of the strong influences in the development of music here. His publication of the score and parts of Paine’s Symphony probably marked the first appearance in print in this country of the score and parts of a large orchestral work by an American, this being followed by a remarkable series of similar scores and of chamber music by Mrs. Beach, Chadwick, MacDowell and others; in fact he wished that no year should pass without one or more of such things appearing with his imprint. Beginning as a clerk in G. D. Russell’s store, in the early seventies, and soon launching out for himself as publisher, as soon as he was able to he did this thing, partly from musical enthusiasm, but also for his adopted country; he was American through and through—the finest type of our citizens of German birth. He was a man of high principle and definite opinions, marked traits also being those of willingness to do anything for a friend and of generosity; one in trouble could always confidently appeal to him. In the history of American music he will be conspicuous for his great services.”

George W. Chadwick’s tribute reads: “Arthur Schmidt was of a warm-hearted generous nature and from the very foundation of his business he clung to an ideal in the cause of good music. He believed in the worth and ability of American composers and rendered them and their cause valuable assistance from the very beginning. He was the first to publish their orchestral and chamber music scores and lived to see some of them recognized as permanent additions to the orchestral repertory. His memory will be cherished by many grateful musicians.”

Mrs. H. H. A. Beach: “Mr. Schmidt was a pioneer in the encouragement of American composers, all of whom depended upon his absolute fairness and good judgment. His loss will be deeply felt throughout the country.”

– H. L. [Henry Levine]

Mrs. MacDowell Laments Passing of Mr. Schmidt

CHICAGO, May 7.—“It was with much grief that I heard of the death of Arthur P. Schmidt,” said Mrs. Edward MacDowell in her rooms at the Auditorium Hotel to-day. “Mr. Schmidt was a warm personal friend as well as being the publisher of my husband’s music,” she went on. “When Mr. MacDowell came back to this country in 1889, with all his reputation abroad and none in the United States, Mr. Schmidt was just beginning as a music publisher. As soon as they met, he took a step that many of his friends considered risky—he took over a number of Mr. MacDowell’s manuscripts and put them on the market.

“From that time until Mr. MacDowell’s death, relations of intimate friendship existed. I have always remembered as one of the splendid tributes to Mr. MacDowell the deep grief shown by Mr. Schmidt when he came to see me just before the funeral. Mr. Schmidt’s great generosity, his business acumen and the scrupulous integrity of the firm in all my dealings with it have been sources of great satisfaction to me.”

– M. A. M. [Marian MacDowell]