A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Silas, Edouard
SILAS, Edouard, pianist and composer, was born at Amsterdam, Aug. 22, 1827. His first teacher was Neher, one of the Court orchestra at Mannheim. In 1842 he was placed under Kalkbrenner at Paris, and soon afterwards entered the Conservatoire under Benoist for the organ and Halévy for composition, and in 1849 obtained the first prize for the former. In 1850 he came to England; played first at Liverpool, and made his first appearance in London at the Musical Union, May 21. Since that date Mr. Silas has been established in London as teacher, and as organist of the Catholic Chapel at Kingston-onThames. His oratorio 'Joash' (words compiled by G. Linley) was produced at the Norwich Festival of 1863. A Symphony in A (op. 19) was produced by the Musical Society of London, April 22, 1863; repeated at the Crystal Palace, Feb. 20, 1864; and afterwards published (Cramer & Co.). A Concerto for PF. and orchestra in D minor is also published (Cramer & Co.). A Fantasia and an Elegie, both for PF. and orchestra, were given at the Crystal Palace in 1865 and 1873. In 1866 he received the prize of the Belgian competition for sacred music for his Mass for 4 voices and organ.
Mr. Silas is the author of a Treatise on Musical Notation, and an Essay on a new method of Harmony—both unpublished. He has still in MS. an English opera, 'Nitocris'; overture and incidental music to 'Fanchette'; a musical comedietta, 'Love's Dilemma'; a Cantata; an 'Ave Verum'; two 'O Salutaris'; a Symphony in C major; and other compositions. The list of his published instrumental works is very large, and includes many PF. pieces, among which the best known are Gavotte in E minor, Bourrée in G minor, 'Malvina' (romance), Suite in A minor op. 103, Six Duets, etc., etc. [App. p.809 "add that three Mythological Pieces for orchestra were played at the Philharmonic Concert of May 17, 1888."]
Mr. Silas is well known as a man of great humour and extraordinary musical ability. He is a teacher of harmony at the Guildhall School of Music; and his pupils there and in private are very numerous.[ G. ]