Biography:G.L. Tracy

George Lowell "G.L." Tracy (1855-1921), was a young Elias Howe company journeyman arranger and composer who also contributed several tunes to Ryan's Mammoth Collection (Boston, 1883). Tracy's songs, musical plays, orchestral marches, choral music, light classical pieces and arrangements can also be found in the infant recorded industry output of the early 20th century. He studied with Sir Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan in London, but was later sued for copyright infringement for his arrangements of some of Gilbert and Sullivan's work. Although it was argued that his piano forte arrangements of orchestral works were in themselves a new creative product, he lost his case. In fairness, this was a publishers quarrel and had little to do with Tracy or Gilbert and Sullivan. It was said that Tracy could play "every instrument known to the band or orchestra," and he was much sought after as a teacher of music, composition and arranging, and as a musical director for events in Boston. In the 20th century Tracy resided at 181 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass., a prestigious address adjacent to Boston Common, near the Boston Opera House.