A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Loder, Edward
LODER, Edward James, son of John David Loder, born at Bath, 1813, was in 1826 sent to Frankfort to study music under Ferdinand Ries. He returned to England in 1828, and went back to Germany with the view of qualifying himself for the medical profession, but soon changed his mind and again placed himself under Ries. When he again came back to England he was commissioned by Arnold to compose the music for 'Nourjahad,' an old drama of his to which he had added songs, etc., to convert it into an opera, for the opening of the new English Opera House, then building. The opera was produced in July, 1834, and, notwithstanding very general admiration of the music, proved unattractive owing to the poverty of the libretto. In 1835 Loder set Oxenford's 'Dice of Death.' He next entered into an engagement with Dalmaine & Co., the music publishers, to furnish them with a new composition every week, in part performance of which he produced his 'Twelve Sacred Songs,' dedicated to Sterndale Bennett. As it became necessary that some of the pieces produced under this arrangement should be heard in public, an opera entitled 'Francis I,' was written to incorporate them and produced at Drury Lane in 1838. As might have been expected, so heterogeneous a compound met with little success, although one song, 'The old house at home,' obtained a widespread popularity. His opera 'The Night Dancers,' his finest work, was produced at the Princess's Theatre in 1846, revived therein 1850, and again at Covent Garden in 1860. 'Puck,' a ballad opera, additions to 'The Sultan,' and 'The Young Guard,' were brought out at the Princess's in 1848. His cantata 'The Island of Calypso,' was written for the National Concerts at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1850, but, owing to their cessation, remained unperformed until given at the New Philharmonic Concerts in 1851 [App. p.705 "1852"]. 'Raymond and Agnes,' an opera, was produced at Manchester in 1855. Besides these works Loder has written some string quartets and numerous songs, of which 'The brave old oak,' and 'Invocation to the deep' are well known. His compositions are distinguished by the melodiousness of the parts and their skilful instrumentation. He was for several years conductor at the Princess's Theatre, and afterwards at Manchester, but although musically well qualified for the office his want of regular, business-like habits militated greatly against his success. About 1856 he was attacked by cerebral disease, which long afflicted him, and prevented his resuming his old avocations. He died April 5, 1865.
John Fawcett Loder, born 1812, an excellent violinist and able orchestral leader, for many years resided at Bath and managed the concerts there. When Bath ceased to be a place of fashionable resort Loder removed to London, and on the retirement of François Cramer in 1845 succeeded him as leader at most of the best concerts and festivals. He died April 16, 1853. Two other Loders, John, a violinist, and William, a violoncellist, both died several years ago, as did the wife of the latter, formerly Emily Woodyatt, a good second soprano singer.