Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

December 2, 1895 in London, England

Death

:

November 13, 1967 in London, England

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Harriet Cohen was a British classical pianist and composer who was born on December 2, 1895, in London, England. She was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a singer, and they encouraged their children to pursue music. Cohen began playing the piano at a young age and showed great talent. She studied with several prominent teachers, including Tobias Matthay and Mathilde Verne. She made her debut as a soloist at the age of 16, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Queen's Hall Orchestra. Cohen quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and became known for her interpretations of the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. She also became a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, and Francis Poulenc. In 1920, Cohen formed a duo with the violinist Jelly d'Arányi, and they performed together for many years. They premiered several works by Béla Bartók, including his Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1. Cohen also collaborated with other musicians, including the cellist Pablo Casals and the conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. Cohen was a prolific composer and wrote several works for piano, including a piano concerto, a sonata, and several sets of variations. She also wrote songs and chamber music. Her compositions were well-received and performed by many musicians. Cohen was known for her dedication to music education and was a frequent lecturer and teacher. She also wrote several books on music, including a biography of the composer Franz Liszt. Cohen's career was interrupted by World War II, and she spent much of the war years performing for troops and raising money for the war effort. After the war, she continued to perform and teach, but her health began to decline. She suffered a stroke in 1965 and died on November 13, 1967, at the age of 71. Cohen received many honors and awards during her career. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1938 and was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1944. She was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of London. Cohen's legacy lives on through her recordings, which are still available today, and through the Harriet Cohen International Music Award, which was established in her honor in 1991. The award is given to young pianists who show exceptional talent and promise.

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