Lang

Benjamin Johnson, pst., condr. b. Salem, Ma ., Dec. 28, 1837; d. Boston. Apr. 3, 1909. Studied with his fatner, F. G. Hill, Jaell, Satter, and Liszt (1885); oret. in Boston at Old South Church and King’s Chapel, and for Handel and Haydn Soc. 25 years; condr. of H. and H. LANNER Soc. 1895-96, of Apollo Club 1868- 1901, of Cecilia Society 1874-1907, of Chick ering Production Concerts 1904; teacher of Apthorp, Foote, Nevin, etc.; of great importance to musical life in Boston as organizer of these societies and as condr. of important and new works (from Bach’s B minor Ma to Elgar’s Gerontius) and as organizer of special productions such as concert performances of Parsifal 1891 and 1903; at his best as choral condr. and in executive accomplishment. His daughter Margaret Ruthven, compr. b Boston, Nov. 27, 1867. Studied with father, and, in Munich, vln. with Drechsler and Abel, comp, with Gluth in Munich and Chadwick in Boston; composed 2 overtures, arias with oreh., performed by American orchestras, but is most succe ful in smaller works for pf and songs, many of wilich have been published.