Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 19, 1907 in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England

Death

:

November 11, 1994 in Norwich, England

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Elizabeth Maconchy was a British composer who was born on March 19, 1907, in Hertfordshire, England. She was the daughter of a wealthy family and was exposed to music from a young age. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a music lover who often took her to concerts. Maconchy began playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the violin. Maconchy attended the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied composition with Ralph Vaughan Williams and others. She was one of the few women composers of her time and faced many challenges in the male-dominated field. Despite this, she persevered and became one of the most respected composers of the 20th century. Maconchy's early works were influenced by the music of Vaughan Williams and other British composers. Her first major work was a string quartet, which she composed in 1933. This work was well-received and established her as a composer to watch. She went on to compose many other works for string quartet, including a cycle of 13 quartets that she worked on throughout her life. Maconchy's music was characterized by its emotional intensity and its use of dissonance and complex rhythms. She was also known for her use of folk melodies and other traditional music in her compositions. Her music was often compared to that of Bartok and Shostakovich, and she was considered one of the leading composers of her time. Maconchy's most famous works include her opera, The Sofa, which was first performed in 1957. This work was based on a play by the French writer Beaumarchais and was a satire on the upper classes. The opera was well-received and established Maconchy as a major composer of opera. Maconchy also composed many other works for the stage, including ballets and incidental music for plays. She was particularly interested in the music of Shakespeare and composed music for several productions of his plays. In addition to her work for the stage, Maconchy composed many works for orchestra, including several symphonies. Her Symphony No. 2, which was composed in 1951, was particularly well-received and established her as a major composer of orchestral music. Maconchy was also a teacher and mentor to many young composers. She taught at the Royal College of Music and was a visiting professor at several universities. She was known for her generosity and her willingness to help young composers. Maconchy continued to compose throughout her life, despite suffering from arthritis in her later years. She died on November 11, 1994, at the age of 87. Her legacy as one of the leading composers of the 20th century lives on through her music and the many composers she inspired.

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