Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

March 22, 1909 in London, England

Death

:

November 14, 1999

 

Minna Keal was a British composer and pianist who was born on October 30, 1909, in London, England. She was the daughter of a Russian-Jewish father and an English mother. Her father was a violinist and conductor, and her mother was a singer. Keal grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she won several prizes for her piano playing. Keal began composing music in the 1930s and quickly gained recognition for her work. Her early compositions were influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg. She also drew inspiration from the music of Igor Stravinsky and Béla Bartók. Keal's music was characterized by its use of dissonance and complex rhythms. In 1937, Keal married the composer and conductor Maurice Miles. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter. Keal continued to compose music throughout her life, but she also worked as a music teacher and a music therapist. She believed that music could be used to heal and improve the lives of people with mental and physical disabilities. Keal's most famous work is her Piano Concerto, which was premiered in 1954 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The concerto is a virtuosic work that showcases Keal's skill as a pianist and composer. It is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as its lyrical melodies. The concerto has been performed by many pianists, including John Ogdon and Peter Donohoe. Keal also composed several chamber works, including a String Quartet and a Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp. Her chamber music is characterized by its use of unusual instrumental combinations and its exploration of complex textures and harmonies. In addition to her work as a composer, Keal was also a music therapist. She believed that music could be used to help people with mental and physical disabilities, and she worked with patients in hospitals and clinics throughout her career. Keal's approach to music therapy was based on the idea that music could be used to stimulate the senses and promote relaxation and healing. Keal died on November 28, 1999, at the age of 90. She left behind a legacy of innovative and challenging music, as well as a commitment to using music to improve the lives of others. Her work continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

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