Amy Beach

Amy Marcy Beach (September 5, 1867 – December 27, 1944), was an American pianist and composer of classical music. She was the first successful female American composer. Many of her compositions and performances were under the name Mrs. H.H.A. Beach.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She was born Amy Marcy Cheney in Henniker, New Hampshire. A child prodigy, she composed her first song at the age of 4. She made her professional debut in Boston in 1883 and shortly thereafter appeared as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Following her marriage in 1885 to Dr. Henry H.A. Beach, a Boston surgeon, however, she largely stopped performing (at his request) and devoted herself instead to composition. After her husband died in 1910, she toured Europe as a pianist, playing her own compositions. She returned to America in 1914, where she spent time at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire. She died in New York City.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her compositions include the Gaelic Symphony (1893), the Mass in E flat Major, a piano concerto, a quantity of choral music, chamber music, piano music, and the opera Cabildo (1932). She was most popular, however, for her songs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 9, 2000 at Boston's famous Hatch Shell, the Boston Pops paid tribute to Amy Beach. Her name was added to the granite wall on "The Shell". It joins 86 other composers such as Bach, Handel, Chopin, Debussy, MacDowell and Beethoven. Amy Beach is the only woman composer on the granite wall.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

September 5: September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). There are 117 days remaining....

1867: 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

December 27: December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. (362nd in a leap year). There are 4 days remaining....

Amy Beach related Images and Photos (experimental)

Beach	Beach	Beach	Beach
Beach Fun	Beach Bum	Beach Sign	Beach Bike
Beach Huts	Beach Club	Beach Path	Beach Walk