Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

October 6, 1834

Death

:

July 8, 1905

 

Walter Kittredge was an American composer and songwriter who lived from 1834 to 1905. He was born in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a fiddler and his mother played the piano. Kittredge began playing the violin at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. As a young man, Kittredge moved to Boston to pursue a career in music. He played in various orchestras and ensembles and began composing his own music. In 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and served as a musician in the 6th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. During his time in the army, Kittredge wrote several patriotic songs, including "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "Weeping Sad and Lonely." After the war, Kittredge returned to Boston and continued to compose music. He wrote songs for popular minstrel shows and vaudeville acts, as well as instrumental pieces for the piano and violin. One of his most famous works is the song "Lorena," which he wrote in 1857. The song became popular during the Civil War and was sung by both Union and Confederate soldiers. In addition to his work as a composer, Kittredge was also a music teacher. He taught violin and piano lessons to students in Boston and was known for his patient and encouraging teaching style. Many of his students went on to become successful musicians in their own right. Kittredge's music was influenced by the popular styles of his time, including minstrelsy and sentimental ballads. He was also influenced by the classical music of Europe, particularly the works of Beethoven and Mozart. His compositions often featured simple melodies and harmonies, but were also marked by a sense of emotional depth and sincerity. Despite his success as a composer and teacher, Kittredge struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life. He was often forced to sell the rights to his songs in order to make ends meet. In 1905, he died in poverty at the age of 71. Today, Kittredge is remembered as a talented and influential composer of American music. His songs and instrumental pieces continue to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world. His legacy is a testament to the power of music to inspire and uplift, even in the face of adversity.

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