Good Evening, as Woman's History Month proceeds, so must we, this is a piece of the Symphony in E minor, Op. 32 or, more famously known as "The Gaelic Symphony" by Amy Beach
Have you heard this piece before? Have you been seeking it?
Yes, I have heard this piece before and yes, I have been seeking it.
Yes, I have heard this piece before but no, I haven't been seeking it.
I've never heard this piece before, no.
Voting ended onMar 23
Born in Henniker, New Hampshire, Amy Marcy Cheney would find herself amongst talent from the word go. Her father was the nephew of the co-founder of Bates College, her mother a painter. And by herself, she would take to the piano and singing like breathing air. Showing signs of being a child prodigy, she was able to memorize and perform up to 40 songs by age ONE. By two, she could perform counter-melodies and had taught herself to read by three. At then at four, she began to compose her own waltzes. So early and so voracious was her need for musical enrichment that her family struggled to keep pace.
According to Amy, herself, she perfect the ability to produce a perfect pitch and to her, music and sound came with color. Each tone having its own personal shade dedicate to it. And through this she was able to understand and sew it together from a very young age. And in understanding music this way, she became a bit of a snob and a perfectionist. Choosing what music she heard at home and becoming enraged if it was not properly composed to her high standard. Because if it wasn't the color wouldn't mix properly.
So by age six, it is understandable that her parents sought for her a better outlet for her creative and unique genius. Having her give public recitals where she performed the work of Handel, Beethoven and Choplin and several recitals to which she was made to perform at her own standard. Ten years later, she would make her concert debut at the Promenade Concert in Boston's Music Hall where she immediately became a star by performing the Rondo in E Flat by Choplin. As one audience member put the expierence, "it is hard to imagine a more positive critical reaction to a debut, her audience reacted with enthusiasm and extreme applause."
This debut performance saw her go on to star as the closing and final performance for the Boston Symphony's 1884 - 1885 touring season. And as her star was on the rise, the pressures of society also came about. That is to say, she began to be prodded to marry and she eventually found a husband in the Harvard Lecturer, Dr. Henry Harris Aubrey Beach. Despite, it becoming highly restrictive of her musical performance. But, at that point in her life, she was content to rest on her laurels. Describing the marriage dynamic as being happy he was content and living for someone else's happiness rather than her demanding nature of her youth. Though it was short lived. As they had married in 1885, he passed away in 1910 and she performed at his funeral.
Once again alone with her musical talent, she began to travel Europe. Traveling with a friend and the permadonna of the Berlin Royal Opera, Mercella Craft. Through her encouragement, Amy would eventually start performing in concert once more. Touring the world and soon becoming its top female composer, until her passing in 1944.
So today for Sunday Classical Search, we salute Amy Beach and her unique way of seeing music for Woman's History Month.
kianamaiart
discoholicmusic
germansingergirl
jbbartram-illu
prguitarman
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janainaart
