Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

April 4, 1882

Death

:

September 14, 1964

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Mary Howe was an American composer and pianist who was born on May 20, 1882, in Buffalo, New York. She was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. Her father, Samuel Howe, was a violinist and conductor, and her mother, Elizabeth Howe, was a pianist and composer. Mary's siblings, Julia and Samuel Jr., were also musicians. Mary showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. She was a prodigious talent and gave her first public performance at the age of eight. She continued her studies with her mother and later with the renowned pianist and composer, Percy Goetschius. In 1906, Mary graduated from the Buffalo Conservatory of Music and moved to New York City to pursue a career as a composer and pianist. She quickly established herself as a talented musician and began performing in concerts and recitals. She also began composing music, and her works were well-received by audiences and critics alike. Mary's early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style of music, but she later developed her own unique style that blended elements of Romanticism, Impressionism, and Modernism. Her music was characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and complex rhythms. In 1917, Mary married the composer and music critic, Wallingford Riegger. The couple had a son, Peter, but their marriage was troubled, and they divorced in 1928. Despite the difficulties in her personal life, Mary continued to compose music and perform in concerts. Mary's most famous work is her Sonata for Violin and Piano, which was premiered in 1923 by the violinist, Louis Kaufman, and the composer herself. The sonata is a complex and challenging work that showcases Mary's mastery of form and structure. It is considered one of the most important works in the American violin repertoire. Mary also composed a number of other works for violin and piano, including the Suite for Violin and Piano and the Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano. She also wrote music for solo piano, chamber ensembles, and orchestra. In addition to her work as a composer, Mary was also a respected music educator. She taught at the Juilliard School of Music and the Mannes School of Music, and she was a mentor to many young composers and musicians. Mary Howe died on September 14, 1964, in New York City. She left behind a legacy of beautiful and innovative music that continues to be performed and appreciated today. Her contributions to American classical music are significant, and she is remembered as one of the most important composers of the 20th century.

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