Marriage
Donald Macleod traces the impact of Beach鈥檚 marriage on her career as a composer and pianist.
Donald Macleod traces the impact of Beach鈥檚 marriage upon her career as a composer and pianist.
Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America鈥檚 most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was 鈥渇ull of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.鈥
Today鈥檚 programme traces the impact marriage had upon Beach both as a composer and a pianist. Although her husband encouraged her composition, she had to curtail her career as a concert pianist, performing in public only once a year. But the financial security of her marriage did allow for Beach to compose some of her most enduring works, including her famed Violin Sonata.
Ah, love, but a day, Op 44 No 2
Kate Royal, soprano
Malcolm Martineau, piano
A Prelude, Op 71 No 1
Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano
Catherine Bringerud, piano
When far from her, Op 2 No 2
Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano
Catherine Bringerud, piano
Come, ah come, Op 48 No 1
Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano
Catherine Bringerud, piano
Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1
Harvard University Choir
Murray Forbes Somerville, conductor
Peace I leave with you, Op 8 No 3
Harvard University Choir
Murray Forbes Somerville, conductor
Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34
Tasmin Little, violin
John Lenehan, piano
Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto)
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Jarvi, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock for 成人快手 Wales
Last on
More episodes
Music Played
-
Amy Beach
Ah, Love, but a day (3 Browning Songs, Op 44)
Performer: Malcolm Martineau. Singer: Kate Royal. -
Amy Beach
A Prelude, Op 71 No 1
Performer: Catherine Bringerud. Singer: Katherine Kelton. -
Amy Beach
When far from her, Op 2 No 2
Performer: Catherine Bringerud. Singer: Katherine Kelton. -
Amy Beach
Come, ah Come, Op 48 No 1
Performer: Catherine Bringerud. Singer: Katherine Kelton. -
Amy Beach
Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1
Choir: Harvard University Choir. Conductor: Murray Forbes Somerville. -
Amy Beach
Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34
Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: John Lenehan. -
Amy Beach
Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto)
Orchestra: Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme J盲rvi.
Broadcasts
- Wed 1 May 2019 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Wed 13 Jan 2021 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.