Article on Gottschalk’s recent activities and general influence

“We learn from letters just received from South America that the pianist and composer, L. M. Gottschalk, has secluded himself momentarily from the world, in a small hamlet on the banks of the Rio de la Plata, not many miles from Buenos Ayres [sic], where his life is devoted to study and composition. We trust that the fruits of his labors are not solely intended for the edification of the South Americans, and that he may soon be prompted to recognize the claims of his native country on his genius and the artistic influence of his presence.

During his absence from the United States, he has produced a symphony for orchestra, a triumphal march, also a tarantella for piano and orchestra, which has met with immense success in all his concerts, besides many works exclusively for the piano. The influence of Mr. Gottschalk’s writings on the piano composers of America, (unfortunately a limited class) has been immense. In the form of his pieces, in his cadenzas, and in his style of playing them, he has been universally imitated, and the demands of his music have to a certain extent modified the construction of pianos. The recent prodigious development in regard to voices, musical training, and the perfecting of pianos, prove that music is destined to be the art of America, and it is to be hoped that those whose gifts fit them for models in any branch of art, will return to their countrymen to give them the inspiration of their originality, and the refining influence of their superior culture.”