Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 25, 1862 in Edgeworth, PA

Death

:

February 17, 1901 in New Haven, CT

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Ethelbert Nevin was an American composer and pianist who was born on November 25, 1862, in Edgeworth, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of three children born to Robert P. Nevin and his wife, Elizabeth. His father was a well-known composer and music teacher, and his mother was a talented pianist. Ethelbert showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons from his mother at the age of four. As a child, Ethelbert was a prodigy and showed remarkable talent on the piano. He made his public debut at the age of six, playing a Mozart concerto with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He continued to study music with his father and other teachers, and by the age of 12, he had composed his first piece of music. In 1882, Ethelbert enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied piano with Carl Baermann and composition with George Chadwick. He graduated in 1885 and returned to Pittsburgh, where he began a career as a concert pianist and composer. Ethelbert's early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style of music popular in the late 19th century. His first major work was a piano concerto, which he premiered in Pittsburgh in 1886. The concerto was well-received, and it helped establish Ethelbert as a composer of note. Over the next few years, Ethelbert continued to compose and perform, and he became known for his lyrical melodies and sensitive piano playing. In 1890, he moved to New York City, where he became a popular figure in the city's musical scene. He performed regularly at concerts and recitals, and his compositions were published by leading music publishers. One of Ethelbert's most famous works is his piano piece "Narcissus," which he composed in 1891. The piece is a delicate and lyrical waltz that became a popular favorite and was played by pianists around the world. "Narcissus" was one of the first pieces of sheet music to sell over a million copies, and it helped establish Ethelbert as one of America's leading composers. Ethelbert continued to compose throughout the 1890s, and his works were performed by leading orchestras and soloists. He also continued to perform as a pianist, and he was known for his sensitive and expressive playing. In 1898, he married Anne Paul, a singer and pianist, and the couple had two children. In 1901, Ethelbert was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which forced him to retire from performing and composing. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but the operation was unsuccessful, and he died on February 17, 1901, at the age of 38. Despite his short career, Ethelbert Nevin left a lasting legacy in American music. His compositions, which include piano pieces, songs, and orchestral works, are still performed today, and his influence can be heard in the works of later American composers such as George Gershwin and Aaron Copland. Ethelbert's lyrical melodies and sensitive piano playing helped establish a distinct American style of music, and his contributions to the world of classical music will always be remembered.

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