In New Orleans

 

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Biography 1842-1869

 

Von La Hache is reputed to have migrated to New Orleans in 1842.
He was one of the many Germans who, besides the Irish, emigrated to New Orleans around 1840, in search of a better future.

The first four years he looked for vacancies, possibly as an organist, but simultaneously he must have been investing much of his time in building his reputation as a music teacher, as indicated by a newspaper article in The Daily Picayune in 1854:
" ...that already for eight years [1846 - 1854] Von La Hache has firmly established himself as a very successful teacher of music... "
On 19 February 1846 Von La Hache married Maria Emilia Johnston at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New Orleans.

In February 1867 he contracted lead poisoning, a crippling disease that gradually paralyzed his hands and eventually prevented him from doing any manual work. He started up a business importing pianos, together with his business partner George W. Doll.
Von La Hache's announcement in July 1866 of his trip to New York, in order to personally select new pianos for his store, was apparently great news in New Orleans, given the fact that the New Orleans Times devoted three newspaper articles to this event.

The "Piano Ware Room" flourished beyond expectation: already in November 1866 the store had to be moved to a bigger location at 17 Baronne Street, situated just six doors from the original premises in Canal Street. Von La Hache's youngest son Emile then joined the business.
Commercial activities were further expanded by publishing scores. In the first quarter of 1867 Von La Hache published a collection called "Morning Service," a compilation of his compositions of liturgical hymns that were used in daily masses.
After the departure of business partner Doll on 1 April 1867, Von La Hache had to take care of his own bookkeeping, which didn't come easy to him.

A major highlight in Von La Hache's life must have been the performance of the "12th Mass" of W.A. Mozart on 27 May 1868, at which occasion he conducted the combined church choirs. As the New Orleans Times wrote on 28 May 1868: "Performance a Triumph!"

In October 1868 Von La Hache's store was relocated once more, this time to 20 Baronne Street.
However, silence fell around the celebrated musician. On the 13th of March 1869 he still managed to attend a concert on behalf of the Church of Vincentius a Paolo, the final one in his long series of charity concerts.
Soon after this, a benefit concert was given on behalf of himself. By then he was doing very poorly. The morning after this concert, the New Orleans Times referred to Von La Hache as: " ...one of our most valued and talented musicians, currently suffering from illness and poverty... "
His health deteriorated further during the summer of 1869. The fact that his name was not even mentioned at the introduction of the "Fall Concerts", was significant.

On Saturday the 21st of November 1869 he died at 6 am.
His son, Theodore Jr., informed the authorities, stating heart failure as the cause of death.
Extensive eulogies were written in the Tägliche Deutsche Zeitung, the New Orleans Times and the Daily Picayune, such as:
"The death of the late Theodore Von La Hache takes away from us a man who, as a citizen, a husband and a father, set a most admirable example to all who had intercourse with him.
To the public in general, however, Mr. La Hache was known chiefly as a most accomplished musician, who, whether as composer, conductor or instructor, was in all respects eminent.
He was a most prolific composer, not only of fugitive pieces, which nevertheless remain favorites with the piano-player and parlor vocalist, but of such as are destined to live so long as God is worshipped in earthly temples. His last years of partial disability from the active duties of his profession were spent in arranging, from classical sources, the music of the whole Roman year, including that for each special holyday according to the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church; a gigantic work, for wich he had received the encouraging of the prelateso of his church.
Mr. La Hache had, for many years, suffered from paralysis, accidentally incurred, which incapacitated him from performing on any instrument; but, assisted by his eldest son, he still remained nominally organist of St. Therese Church, and the actual conductor of his music, until finally stricken down, some months since, and streched [sic] where after long suffering; he has finally been put to rest.
For twenty-seven years a resident here, he has raised a numerous family among us, in whose afflictions we heartly sympathize."

After his death, publishing houses continued to publish his works - originals as well as arrangements - for many years, up to the 20st century.
Most published works can these days be found at libraries in New York City, Boston, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Besides these well-known publications, a few minor unpublished religious works have been preserved from the inheritance of Mr. Henri Fourrier and can be found at the Department of Archives at the Library of the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. This collection contains hand written copies of four short hymns, a Benediction and two anthems.

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Von La Hache: the Musician

 

Because of his frequent contributions to monthly musical magazines, Von La Hache's was already fairly popular in the world of music, even before the article about him was written in the Crescent City in 1850. He was a regular contributor to periodicals from New York in particular, such as Saroni's Musical Times, The Musical World and Times and The Message Bird.

However, Von La Hache's biggest influence on the public of New Orleans was not as organist, music teacher, composer, choir master or contributor to musical periodicals, but mainly as organizer of musical events.

Although he used publishers from the North-East of the United States (New York, Boston) for his works, he always had them distributed to many music stores in the South. This made him well-known among the local music lovers of New Orleans and surroundings.

This reputation enabled him to found the "New Orleans Philharmonic Society" in 1852, with Gregorio Curto as co-founder. In the Daily Picayune the following article appeared:

"We are pleased to learn that a number of the amateurs of our city in musical matters are about to form a philharmonic society on a wide and permanent basis. New Orleans certainly possesses plentiful material for the successful organization of such a society, and we have often wondered that one has not long ere this been formed. The two successful sacred concerts recently given under the direction of Messes. Curto and La Hache afforded sufficient proof that we possess ample amateur musical talent of good quality, and that our citizens know how to appreciate it. The two gentlemen we have named will be at the head of the society. Their professional talent and experience in such matters are a guarantee that the objects of the association will be thoroughly carried out. The election for officers of the society will take place on Monday evening next, at Mr. Hewitt's music store, No.39 Camp Street, where all gentlemen wishing to become members can attend"

The foundation of the Philharmonic Society resulted in Von La Hache receiving general public recognition for his merits in the artistic world. For one thing, he had organized a creditable musical framework within the city, for another it lent him the reputation of a great benefactor, since he used the foundation to organize benefit concerts.
To encourage people to be generous with their gifts, he always took care the concerts programmes would contain at least one very emotionally charged song, meant to stir feelings of compassion in the audience for those less fortunate, such as widows and orphans.
A popular song of this kind was: "The Orphan's Appeal and Relief" from the "Grand Dedication Cantata". (For that matter, the complete "Cantata" had been written especially for the opening ceremony of the "Old Fellows Hall" on 22 November 1852).

An example of how well-loved Von La Hache had become can be seen in a letter written by a journalist of The Musical World and Musical Times from New York to his editor, on 13 March 1853:
"I find in your old contributor, La Hache, a most capital fellow and a thorough musician full of enthusiasm for his art. He has a great facility in composition and arrangement, and fine taste; he is exceeding industrious, devoid of conceit, cares little for emoluments of his profession, and is a perfect devotee of music. He is much liked here; having a large circle of pupils and a still larger circle of friends."

This doesn't mean that Von La Hache was always in harmony with his cultural environment. In his letter of August 1853 to the editor of the Musical World he complains about the lack of musical activity in New Orleans those summer months which, according to him, have been dull and listless. He describes extensively the horrifying consequences of the yellow fever epidemic in the city, and the devastation it has caused. Because New York had also organized benefit concerts to aid the victims in New Orleans, he concludes his letter with the following words:
"You may well be proud of your city, which has contributed so largely to aid our benevolent associations in relieving the suffering poor. I can assure you we needed it.
I remain your friend and correspondent,
Theodore V. La Hache "

The proud "New Orleans Philharmonic Society" collapsed after the yellow fever and the subsequent Civil War wreaked havoc among the members of the Men's Choir. But soon after, Von La Hache founded a new musical association: The "Harmonic Association of New Orleans" came to life on 1 January 1866.
Von La Hache was appointed musical director and his son Theodore Jr. held the office of Secretary of the Harmonic Association, i.e. he kept the records of meetings and other activities.
Henry Blackmar, the music publisher, was Corresponding Secretary, with the responsibility of writing and receiving letters in behalf of the organization. It is therefore no coincidence that the office of the "Harmonic Association" was situated on the top floor of no. 129, Canal Street: the address of Blackmar Publishing Company. Rehearsals took place at the ground floor of no. 129, in Grunewald's Music Store.

Despite the lead poisoning he suffered from by then, Von La Hache remained very active as organizer and promoter of the "Harmonic Society". He supervised the Soirée of 8 February 1866 and participated himself in the Soirees of 12 April 1866 and 19 July 1866.

After the summer of 1866, La Hache started concentrating on the trading business, by means of the import and export of pianos. As the New Orleans Crescent reported:
"The large assortment of the best pianos manufactured on the American Continent [that] Professor La Hache has just received, and has for sale at his depot".

Later on, Von La Hache, together with his son, extended his business by publishing musical scores. However, his health deteriorated rapidly and finally, in 1869, he died in poverty.

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Von La Hache: the Pianist

 

The original song "My Southern Sunny Home", composed and written by William Shakespeare Hays, had initially also been published by Blackmar & Co. in 1864.
Apparently it was a very popular song at the time, considering the fact that Von La Hache thought it worth while to compose this improvisation.
The song relates the story of a son returning to his elderly home, where he meets again with his mother after a long absence and notices, to his disappointment, that "everything" has changed.
The choir sings the following chorus:
My home! My sunny home! My home! My sunny home!
My Southern sunny, sunny home!
Dear mother, I've come home to die,
In my Southern sunny, sunny home.

In the years around 1850, Von La Hache's compositions for piano were compiled and published as 'Collections' by several publishing houses.
Firth, Pound & Co published "Musical Album for 1855", Oliver Ditson from Boston published "Album for 1857", and Von La Hache himself published the composition "Grand Etude de Salon pour Piano" in 1858.

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Von La Hache: the Organist/Choirmaster

 

In 1850 Von La Hache was appointed chief organist of the Church of St. Theresia of Avila, situated on the corner of Camp Street and Erato Street in New Orleans.

This church, designed in Gothic Revival Style by architect T.E. Giraud, was constructed in the years 1848 and 1849.
The land it was built on, used to be part of the "Saulet" plantation and was donated to the church by Mrs. Therese Saulet.

Apart from being organist of the Church of St. Theresia of Avila, Von La Hache was also employed as Musical Director of St. Patrick's Cathedral, in which capacity he remained until 1855. Afterwards Gregorio Curto was appointed as his successor.
(By courtesy of Jerry Ripberger of L A. Images)

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Von La Hache: the Composer of Songs

 

A salient fact about Von La Hache's compositions before 1850 is that he rarely composed lyrical songs, mainly focusing on waltzes, marches or arrangements for piano.
The most popular musical phenomenon of those times, and therefore potentially interesting to compose for, the black minstrel, didn't appeal to Von La Hache.
The only effort he made in this respect was the composition of a number of songs that were performed in the so called "Ethiopian Concerts" circa 1850.

He rather occupied himself writing marches, polkas and waltzes intended to entertain at private parties or to honour persons or institutions he admired. Thus he composed marches in honour of the New Orleans Fire Brigade and also as a tribute to army heroes of the Mexican War, such as Samuel Ringgold, Zachary Taylor, William Jenkins Worth and Winfield Scott.

He also devoted a polka to pioneer James Robb, who developed the railroad line between New Orleans and Memphis and was greatly admired by Von La Hache.

Some of his waltzes were dedicated to contemporary musical celebrities, such as Jenny Lind and the Austrian pianist Leopold Von Meyer.
And to commemorate the Centenary of the renowned German poet Schiller, Von La Hache composed a "(Schiller) Festival Cantata, Grand Chorus for Male Voices".

As for lyrical songs, like many of his fellow composers Von La Hache was not afraid to use melodrama. An appropriate example is the song "Alone", Opus 31.
In four stanzas this song tells the story of a desperate man's misery caused by the loss of his wife and the worrisome problem of having to take care of his children on his own.

The first catalogue containing Von La Hache's works was published by Tylor - Music Store & Music Publisher & Printer - in New Orleans (1850).
By then Von La Hache had just 50 works to his name; however, in April 1861 when the Civil War broke out, he had surpassed Opus no. 500!

The beginning of the Civil War made Von La Hache decide to join the contemporary fashion of composing war-related songs and piano music with titles such as:
"Freedoms Tear Reverie", "Grand Parade March of the 5th Company, Washington Artillery" (1861) and "The Volunteers Farewell, or Farewell My Dearest Katie"(1862).
Because of this Von La Hache is regarded to be one of the most significant composers of Confederate Songs during the Civil War.

 

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Von La Hache: the Composer of Church Music

 

It was not until 1850 that Von La Hache started composing religious music, masses and other forms of church music. It is mostly this type of music that turned Von La Hache into one of the best known composers of New Orleans.
In 1851 he completed his first religious work: "Grand Jubilee Mass", a composition dedicated to the "Boston Händel & Haydn Society".

In "The Daily Crescent" edition of 21 June 1851, Von La Hache was given a glowing review:
"We hail with pleasure and pride every new production of art creditable to our city, and therefore we feel happy to have on record a new musical work, of M. T. La Hache, which deserves the highest praise. This composer is already known to the public by various publications, such as Polkas, Variations and Fantasies; he is, besides, one of the most popular contributors to the leading musical periodicals of this country.
Now he has brought out a Grand Jubliee Mass for four voices, dedicated to the Boston Händel and Haydn Society. By placing his work under the patronage of a society bearing such a name, the author indicates on the very title page what are his musical predilections- in what taste and upon what principles he composed his Mass. He has remained true to the German school- he adheres strictly to it, and lays aside all the spurious embellishments which do not belong to that elevated style. It is, perhaps, for this that M. La Hache deserves most credit: he has produced an excellent composition without going beyond the limits of his subject; it is real sacred music, from the beginning to end, without any foreign admixture; and thus to compose requires genius, talent and study...
We cannot but wish further success to the composer. Now that he has tried his wings in the sacred regions, he ought to soar a little higher still, and give us next an Oratorio. We would like, also, to hear his Mass performed in this city by an efficient choir, and we have no doubt it is the wish also of a great many who have not heard it yet, and only admired it from the score."

Apart from that, little religious music was composed by Von La Hache until 1855. But from then on, it looked as if Von La Hache was almost exclusively composing masses:
at least six masses were then published by Philipp. P. Werlein.

Also in 1855, Von La Hache published a set of three Masses — one might call it a trilogy — , dedicated to St. Peter, St. Anthony and St. Theresia respectively.

Of those three, only the Mass of St. Peter has been preserved in the original published form. Marked as Opus 141, it is a piece for three parts, intended for the "Ordinarium Missae", accompanied by organ and with several passages for solo voices.
Other masses were only published after his death, even as late as 1880, when B. Schott's Sohne published no less than nine masses, of which two hadn't been released before.
And yet it is almost certain that these compositions were all written around 1855!

In November 1858 followed the "Union Mass", and at last, in 1864, his final mass:
"Mass for Peace".
This Missa Pro Pache was Von La Hache's response to the horrors of the Civil War in 1863, when nearly all of Louisiana was the scene of death and destruction.
The Mass for Peace is the only religious work known to have been composed by an American during the American Civil War. It was published in 1867 by Henry Tolman & Company from Boston, marked as Opus 644 of Von La Hache.
This work was reprinted in 1869 by S.T. Gordon from New York, and once more in 1895, when it was published by Hamilton S. Gordon, also from New York.

One should realize that this mass consists of ten parts, which makes it the longest piece ever composed by Von La Hache.
The first performance took place on Palm Sunday 9 April 1865 at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Theresia at Camp Street. Due to its length, the mass was continued on Tuesday night 11 April at 7 p.m. Offertory proceeds went to the Girls Orphanage in Camp Street.

After Von La Hache's death in 1869, B. Schott's Sohne was the only publishing house to release Von La Hache's Church Music in its original form. Very soon new arrangements of his masses were published, such as the well-known arrangements of B. Hamma.
Hamma's arrangement of the "Missa in Hon. St. Therese", marked Opus 421, was published in 1891 by Fisher & Brothers. In the same year, this was followed by publication of Hamma's arrangements of the "Mass in Honor of the Blessed Sacrament" and the "Mass in Honor of St. Louis".
In the following years more arrangements were published by Fisher: the "Union Mass in G"(in 1896); the "Corpus Christi Mass"(in 1897) and the "Unison Mass in F" (in 1903). Finally, in 1925, an arrangement of the "Mass in F" was published by James A. Reilly.

See also "Summary Church Music"

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