Amy Beach
George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress)
The American composer and pianist Amy Beach (1867-1944) was the first woman to have her symphony performed by a major US orchestra. Raised in New England, Beach was a child prodigy said to be able to sing 40 tunes at a consistent pitch at age one and composed her first piece mentally at the age of four. She gave her first piano recital at age seven, after which the family moved to Boston where she had her successful debut in 1883.
After marrying, Beach changed her focus to composition, an endeavor in which she was mostly self-taught. She spent a decade studying and teaching herself fugue, double fugue, composition, and orchestration. Beach was a prolific composer; most of her works were performed and published by Arthur P. Schmidt who had exclusive rights to her music from 1885-1910. Her output includes the “Gaelic” Symphony, op. 32, Mass in E-flat, Violin Sonata, op. 34, Piano Concerto, op. 45, Variations on Balkan Themes, op. 60, Piano Quintet, op. 67, art songs, solo piano works, chamber music, and choral works. Her pieces were premiered by the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, the Kneisel Quartet, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Beach returned to performing after her husband’s death in 1910. She successfully toured and promoted her works throughout the US and in Germany. Her performances and music were met with great critical acclaim throughout her long career.
Resources
Sources
Block, Adrienne Fried, and E. Douglas Bomberger. “Beach [Cheney], Amy Marcy.” Grove Music Online. 16 Oct. 2013.
Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon
Fugata, Op. 87
Full Score
Page: Fugue
Allegro Moderato from Piano Concerto, Op. 45
Excerpt
Page: Scales