SOURCE: Edwards, John S. “Sidney Lanier: Musical Pioneer.” The Georgia Review 22, no. 4 (winter 1968): 473-81.

In the following essay, Edwards examines Lanier as a musician and explores three distinct periods of his creative output, the Early Period (1841-1864), the Middle Period (1864-1873), and the Late Period (1873-1881) for both his musical and literary compositions.

Although Sidney Lanier has enjoyed wide reputation as an American poet, his importance as a musical figure has been based on conjecture and reputation. References to this subject are usually anecdotal, referring to his virtuosic performances and his youthful serenading of young ladies. Though a great many works have been published concerning Georgia's poet-laureate, none emphasizes the great importance music held in his life.

From the standpoint of musical activity, Lanier's life may be viewed in three periods: 1) Early Period, 1841-1864, 2) Middle Period, 1864-1873, and 3) Late Period, 1873-1881. Each of these periods is distinguished from...