Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 5, 1867 in Henniker, NH

Death

:

December 27, 1944 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Amy Beach was an American composer and pianist who was born on September 5, 1867, in Henniker, New Hampshire. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Charles and Clara Cheney. Her mother was a talented pianist who recognized her daughter's musical abilities at an early age and began teaching her to play the piano when she was just four years old. As a child, Beach showed a remarkable talent for music, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. She began composing her own music when she was just seven years old and gave her first public performance at the age of 16. Her parents were supportive of her musical ambitions, but they also wanted her to have a well-rounded education, so they sent her to the St. Agnes School for Girls in Albany, New York. After completing her education, Beach returned to Boston, where she began studying with the renowned pianist and composer Carl Baermann. She also began performing in public, and her concerts were well-received by audiences and critics alike. In 1885, she married Dr. Henry Harris Aubrey Beach, a prominent Boston surgeon, and they had one son, Henry. Despite her success as a performer, Beach was determined to become a composer. She continued to study with Baermann and also began taking lessons with the composer George Whitefield Chadwick. In 1892, she composed her first major work, the Mass in E-flat, which was performed at the dedication of the new chapel at the Boston Conservatory. Over the next few years, Beach continued to compose and perform, and her reputation as a composer began to grow. In 1896, she became the first American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra when the Boston Symphony Orchestra premiered her Symphony in E minor, Op. 32. The symphony was well-received by audiences and critics, and it established Beach as one of the leading composers of her time. In addition to her symphony, Beach composed a wide variety of other works, including chamber music, choral music, and songs. One of her most famous works is the Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor, Op. 45, which she composed in 1899. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist and features a lush, Romantic score that is reminiscent of the music of Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Beach's music was often inspired by her personal experiences and emotions. For example, her Gaelic Symphony, Op. 32, was inspired by her travels to Scotland and Ireland, while her Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 67, was written in memory of her mother, who had passed away in 1906. Despite her success as a composer, Beach faced many challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field. She was often criticized for her gender and was told that women were not capable of composing serious music. However, she persevered and continued to compose, perform, and advocate for women's rights throughout her life. In addition to her musical career, Beach was also a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband were active in Boston society and were known for their philanthropic work. Beach was also a passionate advocate for women's suffrage and was a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Beach continued to compose and perform throughout her life, and she remained an important figure in American music until her death in 1944. Her legacy as a composer and advocate for women's rights continues to inspire musicians and activists today.

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